Back on Nov. 29, Nick Young went down with an apparent Achilles injury in the first quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans. Fortunately, it was later determined that Young suffered a calf strain rather than an issue with his Achilles which drastically changed the severity of the injury.
After missing the last six games with the calf strain, Young may return against the New York Knicks on Sunday. Young’s status is currently considered questionable, according to Tania Ganguli of the L.A. Times:
Nick Young is questionable for tonight. Went through all of shootaround.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) December 11, 2016
Young has been arguably one of Luke Walton’s best all-around players this season. The veteran guard/forward wasn’t even expected to be on the team this season with all the trade rumors clouding his future in Los Angeles over the summer.
Although Young was thought to be the odd man out, the 31-year-old has completely changed the narrative and has a legitimate shot at being the NBA Comeback Player of the Year this season. Not only is Young a force offensively this year, but also on the defensive end making him invaluable for Walton and company.
If the Lakers can get him back in the lineup tonight, the team’s chances of coming out on top against the visiting Knicks significantly increases. Los Angeles desperately needs to get back on track with the team having lost five straight games coming into Sunday’s matchup.
The Knicks, however, will attempt to win their 14th game of the season. New York has won five of their last six games and may be starting to figure things out with new head coach Jeff Hornacek calling the shots.
