With exactly two weeks to go until the Lakers open their 2014-2015 NBA season in Los Angeles, injury updates are becoming more and more important as the window for recovery becomes increasingly smaller.
Following Sunday night’s blowout against the Warriors, injury concerns lingered at the Point; with Jeremy Lin, Jordan Clarkson and Steve Nash all out of action as of Monday morning, updates this afternoon from Lakers Nation Reporter, Serena Winters, are sights for sore eyes.
Steve Nash did not practice today. Lakers described it as similar issues he was having last year.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 14, 2014
Jeremy Lin (ankle) also did not practice today.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 14, 2014
Whilst Steve Nash’s health nightmares could soon return, Lin’s absence is perhaps most worrying for the Purple and Gold as they are, once again, without their preferred starting Point Guard.
Jeremy Lin doesn't think he can play before Sunday vs. Utah at Staples Center
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 14, 2014
Byron Scott still left the possibility open for Steve Nash to play Thursday.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 14, 2014
The severity of Nash’s injury remains unknown, yet an optimistic Byron Scott leaves us to assume that the concerns must be only minimal.
Ryan Kelly only did 3-man weave drills. Xavier Henry went through full practice. Jordan Clarkson did not practice
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 14, 2014
To make matters worse, Jordan Clarkson appears to have sat out today’s practice due to persisting injury issues.
In other news, last year’s rookie, Ryan Kelly, has once again commenced practice. Although his training routines are being restricted to a small scale, his return will certainly provide the Lakers with strategic diversity at the four.
Ryan Kelly practiced in early stuff today, like three man weave, did not participate in more intense part of practice
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 14, 2014
Byron Scott didn't rule out Ryan Kelly for Thursday's game but said Sunday is a much more realistic target date.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 14, 2014
Finally, we’re able to report encouraging news regarding the availability of ‘Professor X’, Xavier Henry. Henry participated in practice today and despite looking “rusty” [Scott], his return looks as if it will be sooner rather than later.
The good injury update news is that Xavier Henry (back spasms) did practice today, which means he's getting closer to being available.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 14, 2014
Byron Scott says Xavier Henry definitely looked "rusty" out there today - to be expected as he's missed a lot of practice time.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 14, 2014
That’s your Lakers injury wrap-up for the day. Here’s to the practice to come, swift returns for the sidelined and an injury-free fortnight in the run-up to the new season.
UPDATE:
Byron Scott said he may consider starting Jeremy Lin/Ronnie Price at PG given Nash's health
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) October 14, 2014
Yes, Ronnie Price may appear as the starting Point Guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. Try and enjoy the rest of your day.
