The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt devastating news prior to practice this morning, guard Kobe Bryant is expected to miss six weeks due to a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau.
Bryant played in six games after recovering from a torn Achilles and without Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar available to play point guard, he took over playmaking duties.
Without Bryant and the two other point guards for at least the next four weeks, according to Serena Winters of Lakers Nation, head coach Mike D’Antoni named a new starting point guard:
Coach says Xavier Henry will be playing point guard.
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 19, 2013
Henry was joined by Jodie Meeks in the backcourt during practice, with Wesley Johnson, Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill joining them in the starting lineup. Of the three injured point guards, Farmar looks to be recovering the quickest as he’s out for just another week while Blake and Nash won’t return for a significant amount of time.
In his first season with the Lakers, Henry is averaging 9.6 points 2.6 rebounds while he’s been a catalyst off the bench primarily this season. Signed to a one-year deal with a lot to prove, the former lottery pick has shown a knack to get to the free throw line.
However, with him as the primary playmaker, the Lakers offense hasn’t run smoothly and will be tested until Farmar gets back. Hopefully Henry and possibly Meeks can take care of ball handling duties until the Lakers are able to get their full compliment of point guards back.
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