The Los Angeles Lakers saw one of their most promising young players go down with a concussion in the win over the Phoenix Suns this past Sunday. Larry Nance Jr. was ruled out for the rest of the game against the Suns and ultimately was unable to take the floor when the team went head-to-head against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
After missing one game, Nance will return to the basketball floor on Thursday night, according to the Lakers’ Twitter account:
.@Larrydn22 will be active and available for the #LakeShow tonight after clearing concussion protocol. pic.twitter.com/QcUfXCDsUR
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 11, 2016
Nance, much like the rest of the team’s young core, has played well this season. The Wyoming product has quickly become one of the team’s most versatile players as he’s able to make an impact on both ends of the floor for new head coach Luke Walton.
The 24-year-old forward is averaging 7.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals, and 1.0 assist per game while shooting 61.1 percent from the floor. Although Nance’s three-point shooting has left something to be desired (20.0 percent), the former first-round draft pick has been a valuable asset for Walton off the bench.
On Thursday, the Lakers will play the first game of a three-game road trip at Golden 1 Center against the division rival Sacramento Kings. Following Thursday’s game, the Lakers will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday before returning to the Staples Center to take on the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.