Timberwolves vs. Lakers | 7:00 PM — Target Center
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North Plus
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO-AM
The injury bug has hit the Los Angeles Lakers hard this season, but Tuesday night at the Target Center, they’ll be getting at least two of their starters back on the court.
Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni told media members at shootaround that LA will have both Steve Nash and Steve Blake available for the game against the Timberwolves and both players are expected to start.
D’Antoni said he expects Nash, who has played in just six games this season trying to fight off s back and hamstring injury, to play the first 5-8 minutes of each half. Blake, who is recovering from a torn elbow ligament, has no minute restriction.
“You know, I have no idea,” Nash said on his playing time. “You know, I’m just happy to get the chance to play again and hopefully get a little bit of conditioning and rhythm and game application.”
D'Antoni said Nash, Blake, Jodie Meeks, Ryan Kelly and Robert Sacre will start tonight for the Lakers.
This will be a much different look for the Lakers. From Jan. 3 to now, the Lakers had been starting Kendall Marshall at the point guard position. The Lakers signed Marshall after he was cut by the Washington Wizards.
Marshall is averaging 10.5 points and 9.6 assists per game this season, impressive marks for a player who didn’t have a job for the majority of the season. Now, though, Marshall will likely see his minutes decrease dramatically.
“Yeah, he’s fine. No, he’s good. I just talked to all of them, I told them that you know, don’t get used to playing 40 minutes and not ever coming out and making a mistake and not coming out,” D’Antoni said. “Still an opportunity to get 20-25 minutes, play hard, perform and whether you’re a starter or not could change tomorrow. We could have another starting group tomorrow but everybody will get an opportunity to make the best of it.”