The Lakers got some good news on the injury front today as, according to ESPN LA’s Dave McMenamin, Steve Nash has said that he feels good and will also start tonight:
Steve Nash says he’ll play tonight against Utah.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 11, 2014
Nash had previously said that he had hoped to play today after getting treatment during practice yesterday. He will be joined in the starting lineup by a couple of new faces.
Fresh off of his impressive stretch of play, Chris Kaman will start tonight at center. And according to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell, Kaman will be joined in the lineup by recently re-signed forward Shawne Williams:
LAL will make a change to the starting line up: Nash, Blake, Johnson, Williams and Kaman. (Kelly and Sacre go to the bench).
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 11, 2014
Kaman had his best game as a Laker Sunday against the Bulls when he posted 27 points and 10 rebounds. He is averaging 16 points and six rebounds in the month of February.
Williams will be replacing Ryan Kelly in the starting lineup following the latter’s worst game as a starter. Kelly went scoreless in 16 minutes against the Bulls.
This has to be a great feeling for Williams who was released by the team a month ago. After playing a couple of games in the NBA D-League, Williams was brought back to the team on a 10-day contract.
Now back in the starting lineup, we will see how Williams takes advantage of this opportunity.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MIKE D’ANTONI: Could The Lakers Have All Their Injured Guys (Including Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant) Back After The All-Star Break?