Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki from Germany goes to the basket against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first half of their NBA basketball game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 7, 2014. EPA/LARRY W. SMITH
DALLAS — Nick Young hunched over his locker stall, slowly but surely dressing up into the flamboyant clothing that’s made him one of the NBA’s most fashionable players.
Young wasn’t just trying to process the Lakers’ 110-97 loss Tuesday to the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. He also struggled putting on his clothes because of a sore back that stemmed from Nuggets guard Nate Robinson fouling him hard in the second quarter of the Lakers’ loss Sunday against Denver.
“I just hurt it. It’s been bothering me,” Young said. “We’re so short. I’m not trying to miss games. I’ll try to play through everything.”
With his planned treatment on his back, hips, calves and thighs, will Young suit up when the Lakers play tonight in Houston (22-13)?
“I’m not going to say I’m out or in, but we have only eight or nine players,” said Young, who refused to blame his back ailments for posting only two points on 1-of-7 shooting. “I’m not going to leave them out to dry.”
After all, the Lakers have injuries to Kobe Bryant (fractured left knee), Steve Nash (nerve issues in back) and Steve Blake (hyperextended right elbow), all of whom aren’t expected to return until February. Jordan Farmar (left hamstring) remains sidelined another three weeks. Xavier Henry could return from a bone bruise in his right knee if his evaluation next week goes smoothly
“It was like somebody died,” Lakers forward Nick Young said of the locker room vibe. “It’s a funeral. We have to get some swag going and happy again. Then we’ll see a rainbow.”
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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@langnews.com