Injuries have been the Los Angeles Lakers’ worst enemy over the past couple of years, and this season has been no different. One of the biggest was the torn thumb ligament that Nick Young suffered during training camp.
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Young has yet to take the floor for the Lakers, but that may soon change as the LA Times’ Mike Bresnahan reports that there is a chance Young plays next week:
Ryan Kelly is a no-go tonight. But Nick Young might play on the three-game road trip next week that starts Tuesday in Atlanta.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 12, 2014
This would be a welcome addition to a Lakers team that his dressing only 10 players right now. Young’s shooting ability would allow the Lakers to space the floor better, and he would immediately be the bench scorer the Lakers sorely need.
This by no means is a guarantee that Young will return next week. It is likely that the Lakers would want him to get some practices under his belt. But he has been staying in shape and doing a lot of work with his left hand, so he may not have as far to go to get back in shape as others have.
Next week’s three-game road trip is a tough stretch that sees the team take on the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks. The Lakers will be hard-pressed to get these wins on the road, but Young being available definitely improves their chances.
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