After missing 12 games due to a wrist injury, forward Larry Nance Jr. returned to the floor for the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday night to face the division rival L.A. Clippers at the Staples Center.
Nance was immediately inserted back into the starting lineup for the Lakers with head coach Luke Walton adamant about the 24-year-old still being among the first five on the floor for his squad. Although Nance was back healthy and ready to compete, the Wyoming had the tall task of guarding Blake Griffin in his first game back from injury.
“His ability to shoot threes now has added another dimension to his game, and he's playing at a super high level,” Nance said of Griffin.
In his return, Nance played 30 minutes going 4-for-7 from the floor for nine points, grabbing eight rebounds, and coming away with four steals. Griffin, however, was a handful for the Lakers forward with the five-time All-Star finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. The face of the Clippers franchise nine of his points from beyond the arc going 3-for-6 from deep.
Unfortunately for Griffin, the 28-year-old forward went down with a knee injury in the fourth quarter. Griffin tried to walk it off but ultimately had to go to the locker room with four minutes left in the game.
Despite Griffin's injury, the Clippers were still able to overcome the cotenants of the Staples Center led by former Lakers guard Lou Williams. The veteran led all scorers with a game-high 42 points as the Clippers went on to win, 120-115.
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