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Lakers Lose Game, Larry Nance to Probable Broken Hand

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This was a tale of two-halves game. The Lakers controlled the first half, defending well, pushing the pace for easy baskets, and taking care of the ball. The went into the break with a double digit lead and it looked like their formula for winning was going right as planned. In the 2nd half, though, they let their foot off the gas. They stopped defending consistently, stopped moving the ball, and played with little purpose offensively.

As if losing the game wasn’t bad enough, to make matters worse, they also lost Larry Nance Jr. to injury. Late in the 4th quarter with the game just getting out of reach, Nance elevated for one of his high-flying finishes only for a Cav to step in and take a charge. Nance lost his balance in mid-air and crashed down to the floor, bracing his fall with his right hand.

After the game, he took X-rays and the news is not promising:

X-rays taken after tonight’s game show a probable fracture to Larry Nance, Jr’s right hand. Nance will return to Los Angeles and will be examined tomorrow by a hand specialist. An update on his condition and an estimate for his recovery will be issued at that time.

If Nance’s hand is indeed broken, early estimates say he could be out 6-8 weeks. That would get him back for training camp, which is good news. However, since this is Nance’s shooting hand, he’d be unable to fully workout or continue to put in work on his jumper. Considering Nance has been working on expanding his range out to beyond the arc and sharpening his mid-range jumper into a real weapon, this is a big blow in the short term.

Nance has been fantastic in summer league and, on a personal level, I feel bad for him. He’s played great defense and has flashed some skill he wasn’t able to fully show last season. I hope he can heal up soon.

Getting back to the game for a moment, while the loss is disappointing, I don’t think there’s too much to be down about. The team had a really good 1st half and simply let the game get away from them in the 2nd. This can be used as a learning experience and gives the players a chance to look at some film and see where they could have done better.

After the game Russell said they “ran out of gas”, but in all honesty, they also stopped moving the ball (Russell included) and just didn’t keep the same focus as they showed early. These are still young guys and this, on some levels, shouldn’t surprise. Still, though, I think they can take this as a lesson learned and just try to be better the next game.

The Lakers continue their summer league on Friday night against the Jazz in the consolation bracket.


Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. adamv37 says

    The Nance injury is my biggest concern, but I don’t like what I saw in the second half at all. Iso plays and no ball movement are what got us the 2nd lowest record in the league last year. The first half featured hard defense, leading to high tempo offense and brilliant passing, which led to easy offense.
    I was really hoping to see the team make it to the SL championship, but as long as they learn from this experience, that’s all that matters. Russell’s ability to create and score at the rim was inspiring and Ingram had some good looks within the offense. Anthony Brown’s defense was OK, but he really needs to get that jumper going if he wants to get some minutes in the regular season. Zubac looked solid, and I’m surprised his minutes were so limited. I see him getting some time at the D-league to start the year, then having regular minutes in the second half of the season.

  2. Renato Afonso says

    Will this mean that the Lakers will sign another big? Black can play the 4 and the 5, so they could easily sign another 5 and slide Black to the 4. Or they can get rid of Nick Young and sign a bulky 3 that can play the 4.

  4. Vasheed says

    Nance should be back before the season opener even if broken. This more effects training camp. Auguste should get more minutes and a longer look.

  5. wwlofficial says

    This is a big blow to my “Please start Nance campaign.” However, if 6-8 proves true, this is the perfect time to be missing time. Too bad though coz I really, really like the kid. I like him better than Randle.

    I think Randle can really expand his game too, but I think of him more as a high-motor 6th man ala Lamar Odom rather than a solid starting piece. I would be concerned negotiating his next contract in 2 seasons if it is in the 15M+ range. 

    I hope Randle proves me wrong, but I would actually prefer that we play Deng at the 4 to start the season.

  6. Renato Afonso says

    Deng is too small to start or play the 4 for long stretches. From time to time, yes, of course. Even the Warriors can’t use the “death lineup” throughout the entire game and they already explained why.

  7. Vasheed says

    wwlofficial
    I consider Nance the more rounded player and I prefer him over Randle.  However, Randle seems to lose his confidence when he does not start.  I’m hoping to see progress on Randle’s jumper at the start of training camp.

  8. Darius Soriano says

    Renato Afonso  After Bosh went out with his blood clot scare last year, Deng played PF pretty much exclusively and thrived. He was their starting PF and Miami was very good. Part of that was the roster construction around Deng (being flanked by Whiteside and Winslow helped), but I think he can play a major role as a PF if needed.

  9. Renato Afonso says

    Darius Soriano Renato Afonso He really was effective but it was out of necessity for a brief period. I don’t think he would be able handle it for a full season.
    Nance’s injury is not that serious and I’m sure he could cover up for him but I was speaking about having Deng start instead of Randle… (Should’ve hit the reply button)

  10. Msway says

    Injury to Nance is a lousy pop in the mouth.6 to 8 weeks to heal, then muscle and flexabillity redevelopment. It could be christmas before he is hitting on all cylinders. I think we need to spend some dough on a short term forword,( brandon bass deserves a call, or take a look at tyler zeller from boston. both players if attainable can help. Zeller has a jumper with range and could let us move black to the 4.A young prospect here does not work.( Get a pro Mitch)

  11. mattal says

    Renato Afonso Darius Soriano

    Nance’s injury is unfortunate but we have nearly three months before the season starts — he should be healed by then.  

    Regarding Deng, Darius is correct Luol thrived as a Four in Miami. But he was not signed by the Lakers to play PF, it was intended that he play primarily SF.  But the reality is that he struggled as a SFfor the Heat and his season stats only looked satisfactory because he played so many games and put up good numbers as a Four.

    My concern is that Deng has lost a step or two and is not a value as a SF (or at least not beyond this year).  What do we do if we have 4 years left of Deng and he is best as a Four?  That’s the same position as Randle, Nance and Black.

    The Deng signing could become problematic sooner than we would like.

  12. mattal says

    A comment from Kevin Pelton’s regarding Brandon Ingram, referencing last night’s game:  ‘The Lakers used Ingram at power forward with the second unit, a spot where he could be effective as he adds strength.’

    —

    Randle, Nance, Deng, Black and now Ingram could see time at the Four.

  13. bluehill says

    Glad the injury is relatively minor and occurred now. At least he can keep up his cardio. The road back to relevance really is beginning as this group encounters its first bumps along the way. There will be more and more significant ones but it seems like the fans are willing to be a little patient as this team develops. 
    The potential of these players is exciting especially after the past few years where it became more apparent that a rebuild was inevitable. For me, I’ll probably go to/watch more games than I have recently. The style of play is more enjoyable and watching this group improve despite the setbacks is more appealing.

  14. A Horse With No Name says

    Auguste is a high hustle, low skill player. I don’t see him on an NBA roster.

  15. A Horse With No Name says

    Bass may want more minutes than are available. But he’d be great on a short deal. Nance’s injury won’t affect the roster composition.

  17. KevTheBold says

    Bad luck hits just when Nance was beginning to improve his shot and range.
    Even after it heals, this will set him back. Yet with his drive and positive nature, he will overcome and come back even better.
    Get well Soon Nance !

    Too bad the Lakers could not hold it together, but hey, they gave it a good try and gave us an exciting preview of what’s coming. 
    At least they all played, as opposed to Simmons, who has been sitting for the last two games, as if he was some sort of precious delicate toy too expensive to waste on summer league, even though they were bragging about his added 20 lbs of muscle. Reminds me of how he was too good to work out for teams before the draft. 
    Oh well, glad we were fortunate enough to snag Ingram, who though is frail in body, is brave in heart; and the difference is, one can be easily corrected, the other? Not so much~! 
    Why does Philly always seem to make the wrong moves? I don’t know, but it’s amusing to say the least.

  18. A Horse With No Name says

    Vasheed A Horse With No Name

    Thank you for the link–I had already read the piece.  I still feel that his one best skill is hustle.  He looked pretty good as a roll man at Notre Dame, but I’m skeptical he can have that success at a higher level.  Best destination would the D-Fenders, where he could learn the system and develop his skills (jumper).  Then he might earn a spot.

  19. A Horse With No Name says

    mattal Renato Afonso Darius Soriano

    It’s important to remember that in this multi-positional or even non-positional scheme, different players will have different responsibilities depending on whose on the court for the lakers, and whose on the court for the opposition. Thus strengths can be maximized and weaknesses minimized. That is one of the great strengths of how the Warriors play.  Let’s see what Luke can do with the pieces he has.

  20. CHearn says

    KevTheBold ESPN interviewed the 76ers coach Brown on why Ben Simmons
    wasn’t playing and he stated that Ben wanted to play but the coaching staff
    wanted him to sit on the bench so they could talk strategy to him while the
    game was in progress.
    Someone on this board campaigned for the Lakers to draft UK
    freshman Labissiere.  In the NBA he looks
    far more intriguing as a prospective NBA star than he ever did at Kentucky. His
    game is advancing incrementally every second he steps on the floor.  He plays within his abilities displaying a
    quiet confidence in understanding when to exert himself on the game both
    offensively and defensively.
    Of course this is only summer league but notable play by
    Zubac, DeJonte Murray, Taurean Prince, Malachi Richardson, the aforementioned
    Skal and others the announcers are already calling for a draft realignment.

  21. CHearn says

    As I see it, as in seasons past, the Lakers can’t make a
    defensive stop when required to stop a team or disrupt an opponent’s run.The teams best defensive players weren’t even
    on the floor when the game was within reach.The Lakers need to fill out their roster with energy guys that play
    defense.Not just marginal defensive players
    that can keep their man in front of them but defensive savants with high
    basketball IQs.That understands team
    and man-to-man ball hawking, angles and how to jump into the passing lanes,
    with a willingness to stick their hands in on the ball against drivers in the
    lane, sit in that defensive stance and move their feet.The Lakers will never replicate the Warriors
    offense unless they find comparable defensive players to Golden State’s Klay,
    Draymond, and Igoudala.

  24. KevTheBold says

    CHearn KevTheBold 
    Labissiere was a top 10 at one time.

    I always thought he had promise, and I’m glad to see he’s proving the critics wrong.

  26. MT87 says

    CHearn KevTheBold I was really rooting for Labissiere to fall to us in the second round.  I think he is going to keep getting better and potentially become Cousin’s long-term partner.