Wesley Johnson did not return to the court Sunday after halftime against the Pacers and is set to have an MRI on Monday for what is now being called a strained hip flexor.
Wesley Johnson sustained a strained right hip flexor, will not return, will not travel to Portland tonight and will get an MRI tomorrow.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 5, 2015
Sir Charles In Charge
The Lakers forward is on pace for a career year statistically. Currently, the Syracuse product is averaging 9.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game on 29.8 minutes per night. Even more, he’s able to pull off some of the most athletic plays, including his huge poster on Danilo Gallinari earlier this year.
With Johnson now out and Kobe Bryant already ruled out earlier today, the Lakers will be very short-handed heading to Portland for Monday’s game. Subsequently, big minutes will likely come rookie Jordan Clarkson‘s way as well as Wayne Ellington and Nick Young.
We could even see forward Ryan Kelly playing on the wing some considering the abundance of front court players the Lakers have and Kelly’s ability to knock down perimeter shots.
For the sake of his playing career, you hope for the best for Johnson. Compared to previous seasons, the Lakers have been able to escape long-term injuries and have remained relatively healthy. However, eight games over a 13-day span that the Lakers are in the midst of, full health is needed.