UPDATE (October 9, 12:50 PM PST): Byron Scott mentioned today Nick Young’s timeline for a return is 5-7 weeks instead of eight weeks according to Bill Oram of the OC Register:
We've been told 8 week recovery for Nick Young, but Byron mentioned today a 5-7 week timeline, which is good news for those who value swag
— Bill Oram (@bill_oram) October 9, 2014
UPDATED (October 3, 5:38 PM PST): Nick Young will miss about eight weeks with a torn ligament in his right thumb according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times:
Nick Young has a torn ligament in his right thumb and will miss about eight weeks, The Times has learned. Bad start for the Lakers.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) October 4, 2014
Last year, the Los Angeles Lakers roster was destroyed by injuries. Unfortunately, the new season has not helped that issue so far as the Los Angeles Times’ Eric Pincus reports that Nick Young sprained his thumb:
Nick Young, sprained right thumb – Lakers sending him to get MRI today
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) October 3, 2014
According to our own Serena Winters, Young suffered the injury while playing defense on Kobe Bryant:
Story has it that Nick Young was playing defense on Kobe, tried to steal the ball, resulted in the injury.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) October 3, 2014
This is the second injury to come out of training camp so far as Ryan Kelly suffered a strained hamstring. Xavier Henry also has yet to practice this training camp due to back spasms.
Young was one of the more healthy Lakers last season as he played in 64 games and led the team in scoring. He signed a four-year contract in the off-season and expectations were high for him this season.
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Kobe has praised Nick Young for really stepping up to the plate and calling him a major part of the team this season. Head coach Byron Scott believes that Young could win the Sixth Man of the Year award this season.
Hopefully for Young and the Lakers, the MRI comes back negative and Young misses minimal time. With Henry still not practicing, players like Wayne Ellington, Jordan Clarkson, and maybe even Jeremy Lin will likely see more minutes at shooting guard if Young had to miss extended time.
[divide]Lakers 5-On-5 Scrimmage Footage: Nick Young Before The Injury