It was earlier reported that Talen-Horton Tucker has been identified as one of three players that have been slapped with suspensions by the league following their involvement in Tuesday's melee. Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel has spoken up about the matter as he addresses his team's current lack of warm bodies available.

According to Vogel, Horton-Tucker's suspension is going to present itself as an opportunity for newcomer Ben McLemore (h/t Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation):

Horton-Tucker has been suspended for the role he played in the scuffle during Tuesday's bout against the Toronto Raptors. While it was Montrezl Harrell and OG Anunoby who were ejected for being the main instigators of the heated commotion, it was actually the players who left their respective benches who have been suspended by the NBA. Along with Horton-Tucker, the Raptors pair of Fred VanVleet and DeAndre Bembry have also been handed with suspensions.

As Vogel said above, the shorthanded Lakers will need to take a next-man-up mentality amid their current predicament. The defending champs recently signed 6-foot-3 swingman Ben McLemore and he's now going to get an early opportunity to show the team what he's worth. LA brought McLemore on board as a reserve player, but given how they have been absolutely decimated by injuries (and suspensions) of late, the former seventh overall pick now gets to play some significant minutes for his new team sooner than he probably expected.

The Lakers are in action on Thursday in a Finals rematch against the Miami Heat.