The Los Angeles Lakers lost their first Summer League game on Thursday night falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Thomas & Mack Center. Along with being knocked out of the Summer League playoffs, the Lakers may have also lost Larry Nance Jr. for some time.
Late in the fourth quarter against the Cavaliers, Nance fell hard to the floor landing directly on his right hand. The second-year forward was grimacing in pain on the floor while fans, teammates, and Lakers coaches were holding their breath.
According to Lakers reporter Mike Trudell, Nance underwent x-rays immediately after suffering the hand injury without favorable preliminary results:
Preliminary results: Nance, Jr. suffered a fracture to the base of his 3rd metacarpal (R hand). To be evaluated by hand specialist tomorrow.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 15, 2016
With this news, Nance will fly back to Los Angeles to see a hand specialist according to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Larry Nance, Jr. will go back to LA to be evaluated by a hand specialist.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 15, 2016
Larry Nance Jr. has been arguably one of the most impressive players on the team’s Summer League roster this year. The Wyoming product appears to improved his game across the board with the 23-year-old becoming a force on both ends of the basketball floor.
D’Angelo Russell also showed a lot of promise in Summer League play. The former second overall pick is embracing the leadership role by quickly becoming the best offensive threat on the floor on a nightly basis.
With the Lakers being knocked out of the Summer League playoffs, the team will get back to work on Friday night in a consolation game against the Utah Jazz.