Many anticipated Dwight Howard’s return to Brooklyn tonight, especially after the ongoing trade rumors. Unfortunately, fans will not get to see the big man in action at Barclays Center, and it sounds like Dwight Howard’s re-aggravated shoulder injury is a bit worse than originally thought. Once again, Dwight Howard will sit out in tonight’s game against the Brooklyn Nets, it was announced at Lakers shootaround this morning.
It’s official. Dwight Howard says he’s out tonight vs. Brooklyn. #Lakers
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) February 5, 2013
The Lakers have played without Dwight Howard the past two games (against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Detroit Pistons). They won both, but the Lakers also almost gave up the game both times – both unfriendly reminders of their loss against the Phoenix Suns, the game in which Howard re-aggravated the initial injury, after being up by double digits. Over the weekend, with the Lakers short-handed, at least they had Metta World Peace to utilize at back-up center. Tonight, the Lakers will also be without Metta World Peace after the NBA reviewed the confrontation Peace had with Detroit Piston’s Brandon Knight underneath the basket Sunday night.
Metta World Peace has been suspended 1 game w/out pay for “grabbing Brandon Knight around the neck and striking him in the jaw,” per @nba.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 5, 2013
As Trudell also explained on Twitter, the Lakers didn’t receive the news about Peace’s suspension until after this morning’s shootaround. Thus, the Lakers rotations are still up in the air.
LAL didn’t get news on MWP until after shootaround. Could go small & start Kobe at the 3, Blake at 2. Otherwise Jamison at 3. We’ll see.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 5, 2013
As if that wasn’t enough bad news for the Lakers. Although Kobe Bryant will play tonight, he officially has elbow tendonitis, according to L.A. Daily News beat writer Mark Medina, and was wearing a medicine patch to help with inflammation.
More Lakers bad news: Kobe Bryant said he has elbow tendinitis on right arm. Was wearing a medicine patch to get inflammation out — Mark Medina (@MedinaLakersNBA) February 5, 2013
So there you have it. Things are once again up in the air for the Lakers tonight who will take on the Brooklyn Nets at 4:30 PM, PST at the Barclays Center.
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VIDEO: Pre-Game Report With Brooklyn Nets Beat Writer Tim Bontemps
