Following Sunday’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets, Nick Young spoke about still experiencing pain in his knee. Sunday’s game was Young’s first in two weeks.
Unfortunately for Young and the Lakers, the pain did not subside and according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Young will miss the team’s next two games:
Nick Young won't play on this road trip
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 25, 2014
The Lakers have a set of tough back-to-back games tonight against the Indiana Pacers and tomorrow against the Memphis Grizzlies. These games will now be much tougher without the services of Young.
Coming back in two weeks from a fractured knee was an impressive feat in itself, but it seems like Young may have rushed back a little too soon. It is imperative that Young take his time and make sure he is 100 percent before returning.
This off-season will be huge for Young’s career. Young can opt-out of his contract, and his performance this year will likely earn him much more lucrative offers than what he will make should he choose to opt-in.
Young may not know what he is going to do this summer, but his health and the status of his knee will go a long way in determining his options.
With Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks both playing well since joining the team and Xavier Henry close to returning, Young can afford to take his time in coming back to the Lakers. He would be wise to take advantage of that.
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Lakers vs. Nets: Nick Young Admits He’s Fighting Through Knee Pain, Hard To Find His Rhythm