The Los Angeles Lakers were supposed to be one of the favorites to make a deep run in the 2024 playoffs after retooling their roster in the offseason. Christian Wood was one of the key signings that was supposed to make a difference for the Purple and Gold with his interior presence and solid rebounding skills.
However, they suddenly find themselves without a big man during one of the most crucial periods of the season as he goes under the knife to fix his knee.
Christian Wood to be out for the Los Angeles Lakers with arthroscopic knee surgery
CBS News reported that the big man will be out for an extended period due to the injury he sustained earlier this season:
Lakers big man Christian Wood had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday in the latest injury setback for Los Angeles’ depth players.
The Lakers provided no time frame for Wood’s recovery from the procedure, which was performed at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. But the injury seems highly likely to sideline Wood, who has been out since Feb. 14, for at least the rest of the regular season.
Wood was a vital piece to the big-man rotation for the Lakers. Through 50 games, he averaged 6.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 0.7 blocks for the Lakers in 17.1 minutes of play.
Since the team didn’t provide any time frame for Wood’s return, it would be safe to say that he will likely be out until the play-in tournament begins. Without him giving Anthony Davis much-needed time on the bench, the chances of the Lakers making the 2024 playoffs become increasingly slimmer.
Does the Lakers still have a chance at winning the Larry O’Brien trophy?
Wood joins an increasing list of players sidelined for the Purple and Gold at this point of the season. Players already out due to injury include Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Cam Reddish, and Anthony Davis is also likely to be ruled out due to another knock.
With the number of players sidelined this late in the season, one of the biggest questions for the Lakers is whether they should force their players to recover or throw the season away. With James’ time in Los Angeles quickly winding down, the front office and coaching staff are stuck between a rock and a hard place.
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