The Los Angeles Lakers will re-evaluate both Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash after their annual "Grammy" road trip, reports Dave McMenamin of ESPN. The Lakers' next three games are in Los Angeles, leading up to a seven-game stretch on the road.
NBA news roundup: Lakers re-evaluating Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash, Eric Bledsoe had meniscus removed
The Lakers will re-evaluate their injured backcourt near the end of January, Eric Bledsoe had his meniscus removed and another team loses its starting point guard for an extended period.
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The Lakers put a six-week timetable on Bryant’s recovery after they announced he suffered a knee fracture, which is right on par with the follow-up at the end of January. Nash has been in and out of Los Angeles, retreating to Vancouver as he tries to overcome nerve issues in his back. The Lakers have lost nine of their last 10 games after reaching .500 on the season.
Xavier Henry will also be re-examined Monday after missing time with "bone bruises" to his knee, though Mike D'Antoni told ESPNLA 710 the results will either make Henry available for the upcoming road trip or possibly sideline him for the rest of the season, via McMenamin:
“He could possibly play on this road trip or he could be out the rest of the season,” D’Antoni told ESPNLA 710 radio on Friday. “So, it’s like one of the other.”
The next few weeks are shaping up to be important for the Lakers, who have losses and injuries piling up.
Eric Bledsoe had meniscus removed
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Eric Bledsoe had the meniscus in his right knee removed Friday, passing on the possibility of repairing it. Bledsoe repaired the meniscus in his right knee before the 2011-2012 season, but has opted to go the other way this time.
He’s hopeful to return this season, and removing the meniscus makes for a quicker recovery than repairing it, but it’s a bold move for both the player and franchise. Repairing the meniscus is often considered the “safe” route for a player to go, potentially elongating his career.
The 24-year-old point guard was having a career year as he headed toward restricted free agency. Bledsoe is averaging career highs in points, field goal percentage, assists, rebounds and steals in his first season as a full-blown starter. The Suns had initially announced the injury as a knee sprain, but have since detailed the severity of the injury.
Jrue Holiday out indefinitely
Injuries continue to pile up for the New Orleans Pelicans, this time sidelining point guard Jrue Holiday. Holiday suffered a stress fracture to his right tibia and is "out indefinitely," though reports indicate the team is targeting a month as a timetable for his return.
Holiday was acquired by the Pelicans in a draft day blockbuster deal that sent Nerlens Noel to the Philadelphia 76ers. Ryan Anderson, Anthony Davis, Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon have all missed time because of injuries, but Holiday had played in all 34 previous games.
Rajon Rondo returning before the All-Star Game, against Lakers?
The Boston Celtics and Rajon Rondo have remained patient as the point guard recovers from his torn ACL, but he expects to make his season debut before the All-Star Game. When exactly? Whenever he wakes up and feels like playing, via Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe:
When asked when he'll know that he'll be ready, Rajon Rondo said he'll probably just wake up one morning and play.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) January 10, 2014 Of course, a Jan. 17 date against the Lakers could be his first time on the court this season, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports. Either way, Rondo should be playing within the next month, which could help the Celtics sneak into the playoffs. Boston has gone 13-23 without Rondo, are currently on a seven-game losing streak, but are still within reach of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
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