The main goal of this year’s training camp and preseason for the Los Angeles Lakers was the development of the team’s young players under new head coach Luke Walton.
But more important than that, the goal of any team during the preseason is to come out of it injury free, as no team wants to lose a key player before the season has even started.
The Lakers have been fortunate as they have not had to deal with any serious injuries this preseason, but as is usually the case a few veteran players have been banged up.
Luol Deng missed games with a minor injury, and now other veterans are also a bit banged up.
Point guard Jose Calderon will miss Friday’s preseason finale against the Phoenix Suns as he deals with a calf injury, via Mark Medina of the LA Daily News:
Lakers officially ruled Jose Calderon out for preseason finale vs. Phoenix. Aim is to fully heal left calf before season opener next Wed
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 20, 2016
Center Timofey Mozgov took a hard fall in the third quarter of Wednesday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, injuring his tailbone. He is questionable for Friday’s game, via Medina:
Timofey Mozgov is feeling better, but Lakers listing him as questionable for Fri vs. Phoenix. He still has soreness tailbone.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 20, 2016
With the beginning of the regular season under a week away, both players are focused on getting 100 percent healthy ahead of their season opener Wednesday against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.
Mozgov is the team’s starting center, and Calderon will likely get minutes off the bench as the team’s backup point guard, so both guys figure to play a significant role in the team’s success this season.