The Los Angeles Lakers announced that Ronnie Price will undergo surgery on his injured right elbow. The surgery will take place on Wednesday, and Price expects to miss the remainder of the 2014/15 season, according to coach Byron Scott.
"He's having elbow surgery tomorrow, so he'll be out for the year," Scott confirmed at Tuesday's practice.
LAL have missed 193 games due to injury this year, a number that should reach 301 at a minimum based on existing season-ending injuries. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 25, 2015
With Price out, the Lakers will have four players on the shelf for the remainder of the season: Price, Julius Randle, Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. For practice and for games, the Lakers will only have 11 available players for the remainder of the season.
Along with losing a veteran, the Lakers are also short on point guards. Only rookie Jordan Clarkson and Jeremy Lin remain as healthy options to bring the ball up the court, as the skinny Lakers get even thinner.
Price appeared in 43 games and started 20 of them. He averaged 5.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 22.8 minutes per game for the Lakers. Although his offensive production may not appear vital, Price provided the Lakers with an experienced point guard who was one the the coach's favorites, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
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In his final appearance of the season, Price finished with three points, four rebounds, four steals and five assists in 18 minutes of game time. Players and coaches credited Price with changing the tide against the Celtics and helping the Lakers snap a seven-game losing streak on Sunday.
Ronnie Price doesn't complain about his elbow, says "it is what it is" when asked about it. After miss, he only slapped 5s with left hand. — Shahan Ahmed (@shahanLA) February 23, 2015
Price's future with the team remains unclear, as the 31-year-old was one of the last players added to the Lakers' roster ahead of training camp.