The Los Angeles Lakers headed into Friday’s contest against the Charlotte Hornets looking to stop a two-game slide. Instead, they were stung by LaMelo Ball and company, 134-130.
The Lakers have already been without Anthony Davis, who injured his foot last Friday against the Denver Nuggets. He has been diagnosed with a stress injury and has no definitive timetable to return.
During the Hornets game, Thomas Bryant, who is L.A.’s other main option at the center position, was hit in the shoulder and had to leave the game. Fans worried that perhaps he would have to miss some time, which would’ve left the team extremely thin in the frontcourt.
Luckily, it appears Bryant avoided such an injury. He is expected to play on Christmas Day when L.A. visits Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.
Via Lakers Nation:
“However, further testing must have revealed that Bryant’s shoulder injury won’t cause him to miss any time as he is not on the injury report for Sunday’s Christmas Day game against the Dallas Mavericks.”
Bryant has been playing very well not just in Davis’ absence, but throughout the season. He’s averaging 10.5 points on 64.3% shooting overall and 50% from 3-point range and 5.4 rebounds in 18.6 minutes per game, including 14.3 points and 9.5 boards a contest while hitting 66.7% from downtown in the last four games without Davis.