Hey Isiah Thomas, this is why you don’t need to push guys to keep playing in Summer League.
In the final minute of a decided game, promising young Laker forward Larry Nance Jr. took a pass in transition and went up for the lay-up, colliding with the Cavaliers defender trying to draw a charge. Nance went down and hit the ground hard.
Nance has suffered a probable hand fracture, the Lakers confirmed, adding that he will see a specialist in Los Angeles on Friday. Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times had more details.
Lakers now say preliminary results from Nance's X-rays show a fracture to base of 3rd metacarpal right hand.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) July 15, 2016
Fractures to the metacarpal are often called “boxers’ fractures.” The real question out of the evaluation is whether or not Nance will need surgery because that will determine how long he is out. If he does need surgery he will likely miss at least part of training camp, and very possibly the start of the season. Blake Griffin missed three months after surgery last season because of a boxers’ fracture.
Nance averaged 5.5 points and 5 rebounds a game for the Lakers last season, showing promise as a rookie forward. At Summer League he averaged 8 points and 7 boards a game, shooting just 44.4 percent.