Another player lost to injury for the Los Angeles Lakers was rookie guard Jalen Hood-Schifino, who was not played much.
On Thursday, March 21, the Lakers reported that Hood-Schifino had undergone a successful lumbar microdiscectomy. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin stated on X, formerly Twitter, shortly after the Lakers made their announcement: “The Lakers expect the 20-year-old guard to make a full recovery in the offseason.”
The Lakers selected the guard, who is 20 years old, in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. With the No. 17 pick, they chose him above rookies Cam Whitmore, Brandin Podziemski, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. who are all having good seasons.
Although Hood-Schifino is not a frequent member of coach Darvin Ham’s lineup, the injury will hinder his progress.
The South Bay Lakers rookie from Indiana has advanced significantly in the G League. Hood-Schifino averaged 22.0 points, 5.3 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and a 47/43/80 shooting percentage in 15 games.
The 6-foot-5 guard has made 22 appearances with the Lakers, averaging 1.6 points in 5.2 minutes despite the team’s lack of playing time due to its high veteran roster.
Robbie Pelinka Jalen Hood-Schifino was chosen over Cam Whitmore
Hood.According to Anthony Irwin of Lakers Daily, Schifino was not the team’s first pick at No. 17.
“According to sources, the consensus pick was Kobe Bufkin. When he was selected 15th by the Atlanta Hawks, the Lakers had to scramble. Sources say the scouting department preferred Whitmore once Bufkin was off the board, but Pelinka and others higher up in the organization were concerned about his medical history. Pelinka, having seen Hood-Schifino play well in the Big Ten Conference Tournament, saw something special and made the final decision,” Irwin reported on March 18.
Whitmore, who was expected to be selected in the lottery, dropped to No. 20 due to medical concerns and, in the words of ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “some poor workouts and not great interviews.”
These worries have been dispelled by the 6-foot-8 Whitmore’s play this season, as he is showing to be a steal for the Houston Rockets.
For the Rockets, Whitmore is averaging 12.1 points and 3.9 rebounds in 17.8 minutes.
Lakers’ Additional Injuries
After their practice on March 20, Ham told reporters that Cam Reddish (ankle) will make a comeback on Friday, March 22, against the Philadelphia 76ers, and that Gabe Vincent (knee) and Jarred Vanderbilt (midfoot) are healing nicely.
“[Vincent]’s doing his individual process. It’s ongoing, but it’s ongoing in a really positive way. Same for Vando,” Ham told reporters on March 20. “Cam was able to participate today, and we look forward to seeing him play on [March 22].”
NBA insider Marc Stein claims that Vincent, who signed a $33 million, three-year contract with the Lakers in the offseason, was only able to play in five games. Vincent is getting close to making his comeback.
“Lakers G Gabe Vincent is nearing a return and intends to play again this season barring any setbacks, league sources tell @TheSteinLine. Vincent has played in just 5 games as a Laker and underwent arthroscopic surgery (left knee) in late December,” Stein reported on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday, March 19.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Christian Wood underwent an arthroscopic treatment on his left knee, which will keep him out of action “for several weeks,” dealing a serious blow to the Lakers.