DALLAS — Lakers reserve guard Wayne Ellington returned to the team on Thursday after taking an approved absence for over the past week because of his father’s murder in Philadelphia.
Lakers coach Byron Scott said it is unlikely Ellington will play in tonight’s game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Arena, hopeful that continuity from the teams’ two-game winning streak will carry over.
“He hasn’t gotten a whole lot of sleep and lost weight,” Scott said. “That’s all understandable given what he’s been through. For us and for him, the best thing is to get back with the team as soon as possible and get back to his family. Now it’s up to us to make him feel back at home.”
Scott conceded handling this situation is “probably more difficult” than any situation he had to handle in four NBA coaching stints, including the former New Jersey Nets (2000-04), New Orleans Hornets (2004-09), Cleveland Cavaliers (2010-13) and Lakers. Scott also mentioned how he oversaw the New Orleans franchise during Hurricane Katrina, which forced the team to play some of its games against Oklahoma City.
But this one struck Scott even more considering he had also coached Ellington one season in Cleveland. After his father’s death on Nov. 9, Ellington was immediately granted an indefinite leave of absence. He missed the past six games while spending time with his family in Philadelphia. He also attended his father’s funeral last Saturday.
“You just try to give the individual as much space as possible,” Scott said. “Once he returns, you welcome him back with open arms and go from there. A lot of times getting back on that court is the best medicine and being back with your teammates is the best medicine. You just try to deal with it accordingly. Everybody’s different. You have to figure out with Wayne and give him time to grieve over his loss. When he’s ready to join and get back to basketball, let’s do it.
Ellington made the Lakers’ roster on a non-guaranteed contract, averaging 7.8 points on 57.1 percent shooting in 20.6 minutes as both a backup shooting and point guard. Ellington grew up outside Philadelphia before starring at North Carolna and having numerous stops in his five-year NBA career, including Minnesota (2009-12), Cleveland (2012-13), Memphis (2012-13), Dallas (2013-14) and the Lakers (2014-15). Ellington has a non-guaranteed deal in the offseason, though $581,692 of his contract locks in if he stays on the roster past Dec. 1.
RELATED:
Lakers’ Wayne Ellington expected to rejoin team in Dallas
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant envisions Nick Young becoming 6th man of the year candidate
Lakers’ Nick Young receives flop warning from NBA
Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com