In the Lakers second preseason game of the year, Wes Johnson strained his left foot in the first quarter against the Nuggets. Johnson didn’t immediately come out of the game, but knows that’s when the injury occurred, according to the LA Daily News’ Mark Medina.
Johnson vividly remembers it happening when he threw a pass to forward Nick Young for a dunk with 7:48 left in the first quarter of the Lakers’ eventual 97-88 loss Sunday to the Denver Nuggets at Staples Center.
“I told him I should’ve just laid it up,” Johnson said, laughing regarding his conversation with Young. “My foot had one of those awkward moments. I had one of those tweaks and started feeling it.”
Johnson has struggled to find his rhythm in his first two preseason games as a Laker. Johnson is regarded as a guy who can start in the three slot this season, and even slide down as a stretch four in spot minutes, but he hasn’t impressed as he’s shot a combined two-for-10 with four points in his first two games.
Johnson missed Tuesday night’s game against the Nuggets, but hopes to be back on the floor against the Kings in Las Vegas.
Johnson is expected to return when the team plays Thursday against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas.
“It’s alright,” Johnson said. “It’s not as bad as everyone thinks it is. I would think I would probably try to play. But they’re telling me to make sure it’s 100 percent before I go out there.”
Whether Johnson plays on Thursday or not shouldn’t be a big deal, as one of the guys with a guaranteed deal, health is the biggest concern for Johnson. If he isn’t 100 percent, the Lakers shouldn’t rush him back. Once Johnson starts to figure things out, he will be a rotation player, and he’s not a guy you want having setbacks due to injury.
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