Lakers Rumors: Wenyen Gabriel On Pace To Return Against the Nuggets
Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Davis has been playing at an MVP level during the 2022-23 season, and a large reason why is because he has been exclusively playing center under head coach Darvin Ham.

Ham has rediscovered Davis’s potential as a two-way terror and the Los Angeles Lakers have benefitted from the star big man’s return to dominance. However, while Davis has been unlocked playing center, he has still thrived next to another big alongside him.

Wenyen Gabriel was carving out a bigger role in the rotation as Davis’s running mate as well as the sole center in bench lineups because of his high motor on both ends of the floor. Gabriel was playing well to begin the team’s six-game road trip before he was ruled out of their remaining four games with a shoulder injury.

Fortunately, the injury didn’t seem serious at the time and he is reportedly set to make his return to the lineup when the Lakers play the Denver Nuggets on Friday night, according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes:

Darvin Ham also gave an update on Gabriel after practice on Thursday, confirming he is trending in the right direction, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN:

Getting Gabriel back will be a huge help for Los Angeles, who has been forced to play even smaller in his absence. Thomas Bryant filled in as the backup big when Gabriel was out, but Ham largely used three-guard lineups to close games.

The timing is good for Gabriel and the Lakers considering they will be going up against the reigning NBA MVP in Nikola Jokic. Even in the modern NBA where traditional bigs aren’t as important, it’s still crucial to have size in the frontcourt and Gabriel will help in that regard.

It remains to be seen how much Ham will choose to play Gabriel in his first game back from injury, but it’s always a good thing for the Lakers to get players back and be at full strength.

Darvin Ham happy with Wenyen Gabriel’s play but wants to continue building his confidence

Gabriel has won over his teammates and the fans with his energy off the bench, earning Ham’s trust in the process. Ham has spoken glowingly of the young big man since becoming head coach and while he is happy with how he has played so far, he wants to continue building Gabriel’s confidence.

Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!

You May Also Like

Lakers Vs. Suns Game Preview & TV Info: LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Trevor Ariza & Dwight Howard Out

The Los Angeles Lakers will not have LeBron James or Russell Westbrook in the lineup for the second straight preseason game…

NBA Rumors: Safety Protocols Will Be In Place For Walt Disney World Staff, But Workers Won’t Be Required To Quarantine

There are still endless moving parts on the return of the 2019-20 NBA season. While the framework is in place…

NBA Rumors: Suns Rejected 3-Team Trevor Ariza Trade; Lakers Won’t Include Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart Or Kyle Kuzma

While there is an expectation of the typical flurry of activity at the 2018-19 NBA trade deadline, movement could begin as soon as Saturday, when players who were…

Lakers News: LeBron James Excited For Intensity Of In-Season Tournament

The NBA implemented a new idea this offseason, that being the In-Season Tournament…