Lake Show Life
Fansided

Los Angeles Lakers: Larry Nance Jr. breaks bone in hand

By Kenneth Teape

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 2: Larry Nance Jr. #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 2, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 2: Larry Nance Jr. #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play against the Portland Trail Blazers on November 2, 2017 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. suffered a fracture in his left hand against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a big loss against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. Not only did they lose the game, but they suffered a loss in their starting lineup.

Starting power forward Larry Nance Jr. injured his left hand with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter, and the early diagnosis is not a positive one.

Nance Jr. immediately went to the locker room after being subbed out of the game. It didn’t look too bad on the court, but once tests were run they were not good.

According to Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell, Nance Jr. suffered a fracture to his left hand.

Trudell reported that Nance Jr. had x-rays and they were positive for a fracture of the first metacarpal on his left hand.

This is a huge blow for the Lakers. Nance Jr. has been a key component to their improved performance on the defensive end this season. His versatility to play multiple positions is key to Luke Walton‘s schemes, and the Lakers will be without that for the foreseeable future.

More from Lakers News

With Nance Jr. out, the Lakers will presumably insert rookie Kyle Kuzma or Julius Randle into the starting lineup. As a result, the second unit will also be shuffled. It couldn’t have come at a worse time, as Walton was just beginning to get his rotations set.

Randle has been thriving off the bench as the backup center. After beginning the season in a funk, upset over not starting, he has really begun to find his groove. Would changing his role once again mess up Randle?

Kuzma has shown the ability to score. He did it during the Las Vegas Summer League, the preseason and thus far in the regular season. Can the Lakers afford to take that scoring punch out of their second unit?

Next: 50 Greatest Players In Lakers History

It will be something Walton has to figure out. Re-adjusting the rotation will cause a trickle-down effect no matter what. Walton will have to decide which will cause the least disruption, as the Lakers were just beginning to find their stride with roles becoming clearer.

Home/Lakers News