On Tuesday night in New Orleans, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered two big losses, though one will be felt far longer than the other. LA lost starting shooting guard Nick Young to an Achilles tendon strain before the team went on to lose by a sizable margin, 105-88, to Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Young's injury is far more concerning, as LA is already without starting point guard D'Angelo Russell while the 20-year-old recovers from a sore left knee. On night one of a daunting four-game road trip that takes place in four different cities over five nights, the already short-handed Lakers lost another key member of the rotation.
Bad news: Nick young has a right Achilles strain and is done for tonight. he will get an MRI in Chicago tomorrow. — Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) November 30, 2016
After suffering the injury, Young could be heard loudly exclaiming as he hopped towards the Lakers' bench before collapsing at center court in front of the scorers' table. The 31-year-old had to be carried off the court and into the locker room by teammates.
The team announced that Young will get an MRI in Chicago on Wednesday, and judging by Young's reaction and the potential seriousness of the injury, the former USC Trojan does not expect to feature for the Lakers against the Bulls. An official timetable for Young's return should be set following the MRI.
The Lakers also got another injury scare when forward Julius Randle landed awkwardly in the first half. The former Kentucky Wildcat, who celebrated his 22nd birthday on Tuesday, limped off the court into a timeout. Randle, who was making a return to the lineup following a hip injury, managed to shake off the second quarter injury scare and provided one of the silver linings on an otherwise bleak night for the purple and gold.
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Randle finished with 12 points on 6-9 shooting to go along with 10 rebounds in 22 minutes on the court.
For the Pelicans, Davis torched the Lakers for 41 points in 41 minutes, and the lanky forward also pulled down 16 rebounds. Former UCLA Bruin Jrue Holiday added 22 points in the Pelicans' victory.
Notes: Lou Williams led the Lakers with 16 points off the bench.
UPDATE: According to a couple of reports emerging from inside the Lakers' locker room, Young's injury may not be as serious as originally thought.
Lakers say Nick Young wearing a boot for now on his right foot. He was able to walk in locker room w/ out it, but put one on before leaving — Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) November 30, 2016
This made me laugh. Julius Randle post-game on @SpectrumSN, initial reaction to Nick Young’s injury pic.twitter.com/kUxwqg1E4F — Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) November 30, 2016
