The 2013-14 NBA season has been an absolute nightmare for the Los Angeles Lakers in terms of dealing with injuries. All season long the team has had key players out of the lineup due to injury, with big-names like Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash stuck on the sidelines while the team struggles to get anything going on the basketball floor.
On Sunday, the Lakers were so undermanned for practice that former player and current assistant coach, Mark Madsen, had to suit up according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin via Twitter:
The Lakers are so undermanned that assistant coach Mark Madsen went through practice in uniform Sunday pic.twitter.com/Qz2IpLQHa3
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) January 12, 2014
The two-time NBA champion joined the team’s coaching staff in the off-season along with Kurt Rambis. Madsen initially accepted the head coaching position for the Los Angeles D-Fenders, but was then convinced to return to the Lakers as an assistant.
Fortunately, the Lakers may be starting to get healthy with Xavier Henry potentially returning to the floor on Tuesday night against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Henry suffered a bone bruise in his knee last month and has missed the last six games as a result.
Along with Henry potentially making his return this week, the Lakers might also get Bryant and Nash back on the floor later this month. Both veterans could return against the Indiana Pacers on Jan. 28 following the longest road trip of the season.
Jordan Farmar and Steve Blake are also on the shelf for the Lakers and may be able to return in February.
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Lakers Nation Interviews Mark Madsen – Talk Shaq, Kobe, D-Fenders
