If there’s any team that understands how devastating injuries can be, it’s the Lakers. Julius Randle and Steve Nash are already out for the year, and the team missed an NBA-high 319 games to injury last season.
So this week’s potential return of Nick Young (torn ligament, right thumb) is welcome news for L.A.
Young said Wednesday that he was planning to play in Atlanta this Tuesday, Nov. 18. After participating fully in Saturday’s practice, Young’s target date remains the same.
Head coach Byron Scott also expressed optimism that his sixth man would be available to play against the Hawks.
“(Young) went through a full day of practice today, went through some contact. Shot the ball pretty well,” Scott said. “He was back to being his old self. He kind of lightened up practice a little bit as well. … We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and then we’ll go through another practice on Monday before we hit the road.”
Scott said before the season that he expected Young to spark the team’s bench units. The 29-year-old averaged a team-best 17.9 points per game last season.
“He’s a guy that can take a lot of pressure off of Kobe (Bryant),” Scott said. “He’s a guy that we know we can give him the ball to and clear out space, and he get to the basket or he can make shots. He can help us in that aspect right away.”
Young will have to wear a soft cast during games, but he said that he wasn’t limited by anything during Saturday’s practice.
The Los Angeles native said he is simply itching to help his team turn its season around.
“It’s tough because I love the game of basketball,” Young said. “Just seeing them go out there and struggle, I want to be a part of everything. If we’re gonna lose, we’ll all lose together. If we’re gonna win, we’ll win together.”
Bryant Recovering
Bryant, who said that he was sick after going 1-for-14 from the field against San Antonio on Friday, did not practice Saturday.
Head athletic trainer Gary Vitti said Bryant had flulike symptoms, according to Scott. Bryant will be reevaluated at Sunday morning’s shootaround.
“You’d probably have to amputate his leg for him not to play tomorrow,” Scott said. “You guys know him. If he feels 20 percent better than he felt last night, he’s gonna say, ‘I’m good.’ So again, I never scratch him out of anything except practice. When it comes to playing, he’s the one guy that I know: If he can walk, he’s probably gonna play.”