LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton said they are going to have to “get creative” with their roster after guard Nick Young was placed on the injured list on Wednesday.
The 31-year-old Young suffered a strained right calf muscle in the Lakers’ 105-88 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday and is expected to be out for two to four weeks.
“It will be tough,” Walton said. “Without breaking up that second unit — filling in the shooting guard spot while D’Angelo (Russell) is already hurt — we’ll have to get creative.”
Young fell to the floor in the first quarter after trying to prevent a layup by Pelicans guard Tim Frazier. He lay on his back as a timeout was called and the trainer attended to him before his teammates helped him off the floor.
He underwent an MRI exam Wednesday in Chicago, where the Lakers were playing the Bulls.
Young’s injury happened the same day that Julius Randle returned to the lineup after missing three games with a hip injury. In 19 games this season, the Lakers have had four starters miss time with injuries.
Young started 18 games for the Lakers, averaging 13.3 points and a career-high 41.8 percent on three-point shots. He is in his fourth season with Los Angeles.
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