There’s good news coming out of El Segundo. Xavier Henry is participating in Laker practice.
.@XavierHenry out on the practice floor for the first time this season. pic.twitter.com/ofxhRC7hNc
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 11, 2014
While it’s fair to say he’s far from game shape, he is one step closer to playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Unfortunately, Jeremy Lin got an injury of his own.
More injury news: Jeremy Lin sprained his left ankle at the end of practice; he’ll be re-evaluated tomorrow.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 11, 2014
Nick Young working that left hand while his right hand mends. pic.twitter.com/fvwg5frNbf
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 11, 2014
Nick Young continues to take part in practice, getting shots with his left hand. Kobe Bryant and Greg Oden were out with injuries to the right hand earlier in their careers. Kobe Bryant practiced shots and became a more effective shot blocker with his left hand. Greg Oden began to shoot his free throws left-handed while playing for Ohio State.
We are just two games into the preseason, yet the injuries are starting to mount up. Wesley Johnson had a scare with his knee. Jordan Clarkson is out with a calf strain. Ryan Kelly is out with a moderate hamstring injury. There is a silver lining to the situation. The injuries seem to be short-term issues for now. Jeremy Lin’s ankle injury seems to be minor, considering it’s going to be reevaluated tomorrow.
Carlos Boozer, Kobe Bryant, and Steve Nash remain healthy. Byron Scott is paying special attention to both Bryant and Nash.
Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant both practiced and played in the first of two scrimmages before resting during the second session.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 11, 2014
The Lakers need a healthy roster to build chemistry on and off-the-floor. Jeremy Lin and Ed Davis were being counted on as the combined sixth-men while Nick Young is out. Now Lin may need to slow down a bit.
The Lakers, as a team, may more in shape compared to other NBA teams. However, the latest injuries are all leg related; ankles, knees, hamstrings, calves, clap, clap, clap. The biggest challenge for the Lakers is not to enter the playoffs, but just to play a healthy season. That’ll allow the players to develop individually, as well as make it easier to build a championship culture for years to come.