Lakers’ Nick Young ruled out for Wednesday’s game against Chicago

Los Angeles Lakers Media Day in El Segundo Monday September 28, 2015. Nick Young smiles during interview. Photo By  Robert Casillas / Daily Breeze

Los Angeles Lakers Media Day in El Segundo Monday September 28, 2015. Nick Young smiles during interview.
Photo By Robert Casillas / Daily Breeze

CHICAGO — The Lakers have ruled Lakers guard Nick Young out for tonight’s game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center for what the team termed a “right leg injury.” The Lakers have not released the results of an MRI Young took on Wednesday after suffering what the team called a strain in his right Achilles tendon in the opening minutes of the Lakers’ 105-88 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday at Smoothie King Center.

The Lakers will surely miss Young, who has had a resurgent season thus far under first-year coach Luke Walton by averaging 14.1 points on 45.8 percent shooting in 26.4 minutes as a starter. It does not help that Lakers starting point guard D’Angelo Russell is sidelined for at least another week while rehabbing on his sore left knee.

While veteran guard Jose Calderon has started in Russell’s place in six of the past seven games, Young’s absence could either spur Jordan Clarkson, Lou Williams or even Marcelo Huertas to the starting lineup. Clarkson has averaged 15.1 points on 45 percent shooting in 27.8 minutes off the bench, while Williams has posted 16.6 points on a 45.6 percent clip in 23.5 minutes as a reserve.

Though Clarkson and Williams lead the Lakers’ in bench scoring, Walton could start seldom-used Huertas for various reasons. Though Huertas has averaged 1.1 points on 25 percent shooting and 2.3 assists in 8.4 minutes through seven appearances, the Lakers like his ability to run a balanced offense. Walton also has stayed reluctant in breaking up the team’s reserves unit since it leads the NBA in scoring (52.4).


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