Only a few days remain before the Los Angeles Lakers get the preseason underway and the team has already suffered some losses in terms of injuries. Although no one has gone down with anything major, the injuries suffered in training camp will impact the start of the 2014-15 NBA season.
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Fortunately, head coach Byron Scott believes injured second-year forward Ryan Kelly appears to be on pace to return next week, according to Mike Trudell of Lakers.com:
Byron Scott said he’s hopeful that Ryan Kelly (hamstring) can be back by the end of the upcoming week.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 4, 2014
Kelly and Xavier Henry are the only two players on the roster that haven’t participated in practice under Coach Scott due to injuries. Henry is still recovering from off-season knee surgery while Kelly continues to deal with a hamstring issue.
Nick Young and Steve Nash are the most recent players to suffer injuries during training camp. Young’s is by far the most costly injury with the sixth man tearing a ligament in his right thumb that will require surgery. The veteran guard/forward will miss as much as two months in his recovery from surgery that will take place on Monday.
As for Nash, the two-time NBA MVP tweaked an ankle during practice on Saturday. Nash will participate in practice tomorrow and might get involved in the second practice tonight. The injury is considered to be minor, but with all his issues over the last two seasons, the team is going with the cautious approach.
[divide]INJURY: Lakers Nick Young Tears Ligament In Left Thumb