Lakers News: Josh Hart Has Battled Back Spasms Past ‘Several Days’

Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

Injuries have been one of the biggest obstacles the Los Angeles Lakers have faced, particularly since Christmas, when LeBron James and Rajon Rondo last played. Neither of the veterans has returned but continue to make progress in their respective recoveries.

Prior to James and Rondo sustaining an injury in the blowout win over the Golden State Warriors, Brandon Ingram (sprained left ankle) and JaVale McGee (pneumonia) missed time. Additionally, Rondo required surgery to repair a fracture in his right hand, and Christmas was only his fourth game back.

The Lakers have predictably struggled without their two leaders, and the 12-game stretch also included losing Kyle Kuzma for 2.5 contests because of a lower back contusion. Tyson Chandler recently admitted to not being 100 percent himself, and alluded to others on the roster pushing through their own issues as well.

One of them appears to have been Josh Hart as he’s been battling back spasms, per Kyle Goon of the Southern California News Group:

The back trouble would help explain Hart’s shooting slump that played a role in being replaced in the starting lineup by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. To Hart’s credit, he’s accepted the change and still focused on contributing.

No more was that evident than in the 138-128 overtime win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Hart was part of the Lakers bench unit erasing what grew to a 17-point deficit. He finished the night with 12 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.

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