6:29pm: Hood-Schifino’s procedure involved a bulging disc in his back being shaved, according to McMenamin (Twitter link). He’s expected to make a full recovery in the offseason.
6:05pm: Lakers rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino underwent successful back surgery on Thursday, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
Hood-Schifino underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy procedure. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin adds that no timetable for recovery was provided (Twitter link).
While nothing is confirmed, it would be surprising if Hood-Schifino played again this regular season. For what it’s worth, Dwight Howard was given a two-to-three month recovery timeline in 2018 with the Wizards when he suffered a similar injury.
Hood-Schifino hasn’t received much playing time in his rookie season after being selected with the No. 17 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He has also dealt with a handful of injury issues this season. He’s averaging 1.6 points in 5.2 minutes per game across 21 appearances this season.
The first-year guard has played much more at the G League level. In 15 regular season NBAGL games, he averaged 22.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in 35.4 minutes per contest and shot 43.2% from three.
It was an uphill battle for Hood-Schifino, still just 20 years old, to claim a rotation spot on a Lakers team fresh off the Western Conference Finals. Fellow youngster Max Christie slightly increased his role with the team in his second season and both players should have an opportunity to keep developing in L.A.’s system this offseason, assuming Christie returns as a restricted free agent.
If only Hawkins had fell a couple extra spots !
They should have traded the pick. Lebron had no intention of playing with rookies.