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Los Angeles Lakers: Larry Nance Jr. expected back against Clippers

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)

The Los Angeles Lakers look like they will be getting some reinforcements back, as Larry Nance Jr. is expected back on Monday.

Against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, the Los Angeles Lakers are expecting to have forward Larry Nance Jr. back in the lineup.

Early in the season, Nance had some poor luck, as he suffered a fractured bone in his hand. Against the Trail Blazers on November 2nd, Nance suffered the injury. Originally, Nance was expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Despite the original timetable, Lakers head coach Luke Walton is expecting Nance back on Monday against the Clippers.

"“I think he’ll be good to go on Monday,” Lakers head coach Luke Walton said to Corey Hansford of LakersNation.com. “Obviously, we’ll see how he feels later today and [Sunday]. We’ll get another practice in. I would anticipate he plays Monday.”"

Getting Nance back will certainly be good for the Lakers, as he is one of their better rebounders and defenders down low. Nance brings a certain energy to the team every time that he is on the floor, and that will be a welcomed sight for the Lakers.

Prior to the injury, Nance was playing pretty well, as he was averaging 11.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Nance was also able to total three double-doubles already this season.

What will be very interesting to see for the Lakers will be how Walton adjusts his lineup with Nance back. Prior to the injury, the Lakers were using both Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle off the bench.

With Nance out, it has been Kuzma who has been inserted into the starting lineup. Kuzma has really shined in this role, and it would be hard to imagine that Walton takes him out of the starting lineup.

The return of Nance could result in the Lakers playing some bigger lineups, as Kuzma is capable of playing minutes at small forward. In addition to that, Walton could also use Nance and Randle together as the bigs off the bench, which could mean fewer minutes for Andrew Bogut.

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Nonetheless, it will be good to see Nance back in action for the Lakers on Monday night. More than likely, Walton will ease him back into the rotation, as he will have to make some adjustments to the rotations he has been using.

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