After completing their first three game winning steak since mid-December, the Lakers were hit with an unfortunate blow: backup forward Matt Barnes will be out several weeks after tearing his right meniscus during the second quarter of Friday night’s victory over the New Orleans Hornets.
The injury occurred with 5:22 remaining in the period and Barnes did not return for the rest of the game after landing awkwardly on a rebound attempt.
Currently, there is no definite timetable on Barnes’ return, however, he will have surgery some time next week – after which, the team will determine how long he will be absent from the lineup.
So far this season, Barnes is averaging 7.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.7 APG and 20.8 MPG off the bench for the Lakers this season.
In lieu of his absence, the Lakers recalled forward Devin Ebanks from the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA Development League. In only five games with the Jam, Ebanks has posted averages of 14.6 PPG and 7.6 RPG.
Barnes’ injury will also free up time for veteran forward Luke Walton, who is averaging 1.6 PPG and 1.0 RPG in 21 contests this season.