Kings star guard De’Aaron Fox has been out since November 11 due to a Grade 3 left ankle sprain but he’s hopeful of returning next week, as he told Jason Anderson of the Sacramento Bee. “I have more range of motion now than I did before I got hurt,” he said. “My left ankle has just never had that much range of motion, but since we’ve been pounding it hard and going at it so hard, it’s been a lot better than before I got hurt.”
We have more injury updates:
- Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma hopes to return from a left ankle sprain sometime during the team’s current trip, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin tweets. The injury is unrelated to the stress reaction he suffered this summer, McMenamin adds. Kuzma suffered the injury on Sunday and has missed the last two games.
- Pelicans power forward Derrick Favors, a potential trade candidate, had eight points and eight rebounds in 15 minutes against Philadelphia on Friday. He had not played since November 16 due to knee and back injuries and personal issues.
- Rockets guard Eric Gordon has begun on-court running, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports. Gordon underwent knee surgery on November 13 with a projected six-week timetable. A return around Christmas remains in play, according to Feigen, though the plan is to gradually increase his workload and ease off as necessary.
- Magic center Nikola Vucevic could return on Sunday, John Denton of the team’s website relays. He missed his 11th consecutive game on Friday against Houston due to a right ankle injury. “I think he’s feeling better and hopefully he’ll be able to get through a practice (on Saturday) and still feel good,” Magic coach Steve Clifford said. “I think there’s a good chance he’ll play on Sunday.”
The Lakers did not seem to miss Kuzma versus Miami despite their ineffective bench. Kuzma, 24, is average at best across the board; 9.8PER.
Expectations are high for the playoffs. Cousins is out and Mcgee is good but limited. The refs may not appreciate Howard or Dudley. Davis and James have been troopers, thus their shining record.
How much longer will Kuzma have trade value?
How important is fan service to GM Pelinka? (He should go for Brandon Clarke not Iguodala.)
Dont overlook Green
I was listing frontcourters like Kuzma. Danny Green could play some 3 but doesn’t regularly. Bas.Ref. says he plays 14% at forward but gets 5.3 rebounds per 36′– just like Kuzma, mostly a 4!