The Los Angeles Lakers are getting closer and closer to getting back their starting power forward Larry Nance Jr. after recovering from a left hand injury. The dynamic Wyoming product can return as soon as Monday, only three weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a fracture in his hand.
An intangibles specialist, Nance has been practicing with the team since his cast came off on Nov. 14, according to Bill Oram of The Orange Country Register.
The Lakers are set for a little back-to-back action after topping the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, now set to face the Sacramento Kings today, which will give them four days before their next game, when they face the L.A. Clippers on Monday.
“With the way the schedule plays out with those days off it makes more sense than to not try to rush him back,” head coach Luke Walton said.
Larry Nance Jr. was expected to get some work in this week with the South Bay Lakers, the team's G League affiliate, but those ideals were quickly forgotten after Nance had a wisdom tooth pulled Monday.
“He’s been out there mixing it up with the guys,” Walton said, “getting his shots in, his running in. So (with) a couple good practices I think he’ll be fine.”
It's unknown if Nance's newly-acquired starting job will remain when he makes his return, as rookie Kyle Kuzma has given Walton every reason to keep him locked at the four, scoring 20.8 points per game in his last five outings — setting career-highs twice during his torrid run for the Lakers.
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