The 2022-23 regular season hasn’t even started, but injuries are already starting to pile up for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Troy Brown Jr. has a back ailment that caused him to miss the entire preseason. Dennis Schroder underwent a procedure for a finger injury and will be out for 3-4 weeks. Russell Westbrook has a hamstring ailment he suffered in the team’s final preseason game.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis missed three of the Lakers’ six exhibition contests because of lower back tightness.
Now, there is a new player on that list.
Center Thomas Bryant has a sprained thumb and will not appear in L.A.’s season opener on Tuesday versus the Golden State Warriors.
First injury report this season:
Troy Brown Jr. (low back soreness), Thomas Bryant (left thumb sprain) and Dennis Schröder (right UCL repair) are out
• Anthony Davis (low back soreness), LeBron James (left foot soreness), Russell Westbrook (left hamstring soreness) are probable— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 18, 2022
Bryant has been a prime candidate for the team’s starting center spot, although head coach Darvin Ham says he is also considering starting a small lineup that has Davis at the 5.