The Los Angeles received some good news on their rookie forward Adou Thiero.
Thiero, who has been out since Dec. 30 with a sprained right MCL, has been assigned to the South Bay Lakers.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin shared that Thiero participated in his first full-contract stay-ready game since the injury earlier this week.
The practice for Thiero is the first such session since he was diagnosed with a right knee MCL sprain in late December. While this is good news for the rookie and the Lakers, he will not play on Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Thiero will also likely be out on Tuesday night for the second night of a back-to-back against the San Antonio Spurs.
However, the 21-year-old rookie is progressing well, and he could be in line to play in South Bay’s next game on Wednesday against the San Diego Clippers. Thiero’s timeline is unclear; however, he could be in line to return after the All-Star break when L.A. faces the Dallas Mavericks.
In 15 games for the Lakers, Thiero has averaged 1.3 points per game, 1.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 0.3 steals while shooting 38.9 percent from the field in 5.8 minutes of action.
Is Luka Doncic Playing vs Thunder?
The Lakers won’t only continue to be without Thiero, but also their superstar guard, Luka Doncic.
Doncic is ruled out for Monday’s matchup against the Thunder due to a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old superstar will miss his second consecutive game and will only be out for Tuesday’s second night of a back-to-back.
The six-time All-Star has been spectacular for the Lakers this season. Doncic has been playing at an MVP level, averaging 32.8 points per game (career-high), 8.6 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 34.5 percent from beyond the arc in 42 games and 35.5 minutes.
With Doncic out, much of the load will be put on Austin Reaves, who was having an All-Star season before his left calf strain. Monday will be his fourth game back from injury and he’s been great since his return.
Since returning from injury, Reaves is averaging 22 points per game, 3.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals while shooting 55.6 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arc in 23.3 minutes.
The Lakers are home underdogs against the Thunder with a +7.5 spread.
Newsweek