Lakers’ #0 Nick Young shoots from the high post in the first half. The Lakers played the Portland Trail Blazers in a regular season game at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. April 1, 2014 (Photo by John McCoy / Los Angeles Daily News)
With each day that passes, it becomes more and more of a possibility that Lakers forward Nick Young will not play in another game this season.
Lakers coach Byron Scott stressed “we’re not at that point yet” with Young missing the past nine games because of a swollen left knee. But Young will still stay sidelined when the Lakers (17-47) host the Atlanta Hawks (51-14) on Sunday at Staples Center. Young will also only travel for Monday’s game in Golden State so he can receive treatment.
Yet, Scott did not offer much clarity namely because he said he has not recently consulted Lakers trainer Gary Vitti about Young’s progression with only 18 games remaining.
“Maybe I need to talk to Gary to give me an idea where he is,” Scott said of Young, who did not speak to reporters on Saturday. “I haven’t asked him about that and he hasn’t said anything. So I take his side meaning he hasn’t gotten better or changed much. I think I am curious now. I want to find out if it’s getting better or what the prognosis is as far as him returning in the next few weeks or so.”
Scott sounded more sure about which characters he and Young would play in “The Odd Couple.” Scott identified himself with Felix and Young as Oscar, a perfect fitting considering Scott’s no-nonsense coaching style and Young’s playful personality has occasionally clashed.
It has not helped Young has averaged 13.4 points on a career-low 36.6 shooting percent clip, a mark that dipped in January (32.2 percent) and February (32.4 percent).
“I have nothing to iron out,” Scott said. “He’s got to convert what needs to be done on the basketball court. So the person who has to iron it out is Nick offensively and defensively. He’s willing. I really do. I think he’s willing. We had a couple of conversations so I think he’s willing.”
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