Lakers’ Carmelo Anthony misses Kings game with lower back pain – Orange County Register

There were two goalscorers in the Lakers’ lineup in the first half of the season: Russell Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony.

The latter – the oldest member of the Lakers already in decline – was eventually sidelined for a game on Wednesday night.

Coach Frank Vogel said Anthony woke up with lower back pain and, after warming up during the game, it was determined he could not play against the Kings in Sacramento. It ended an ironman start for the 37-year-old, who only played all 82 games in his rookie season in 2003-04.

Signed to a veteran’s minimum in the summer, Anthony has been the top scorer for the Lakers’ second team – averaging 13.2 points and 38.9% shooting three points on the field. from the bench in all but three of his games. Anthony has also been playing many minutes in central position lately, trying to keep small ball units without the traditional big ball to help spread the floor.

The Lakers made a subtle rotation adjustment in the hallway, starting with Trevor Ariza and bringing in Stanley Johnson from the bench.

Given the NBA’s injury absence and COVID-19 protocol, Anthony’s start and Westbrook’s impeccable readiness through 42 games is even more impressive, Vogel said, calling it “a bright spot in the season.” our prize.

“Those people, it doesn’t matter if they’re late in their careers,” he said. “They want to play every night. And it’s a league where there’s a lot of load management and nothing and those guys really don’t care about that. There are games being played, they want to compete. They want to be there for their teammates and they want to win.”

Westbrook has played all 82 games in a regular season four times and has played at least 80 games seven times. However, the last time he played at least 80 games was in 2018.

The Lakers will have to decide soon whether to sign Johnson in 10 days (or for a spot on the full-season roster). His current 10-day contract expires after Saturday’s game in Denver. He offers a versatility that has helped support LeBron James and Anthony as small ball centers.

“The speed, sport and toughness he brings to the ball’s defence is essential,” Vogel said. “I think there’s an element that makes us feel like we’re likely to spot something with his game that hasn’t been seen by the league in terms of him trying to play on the wing. , as opposed to us using him as a little defensive center of the ball and someone who can get out and get caught on catch and roll and that sort of thing. And show you another elite defender in the ring. ”

LAKERS REGISTER SEKOU DOUMBOUYA

The Lakers brought in 6-foot-9-meter striker Sekou Doumbouya on a two-way contract, not allowing rookie center-back Jay Huff to make way.

Doumbouya has been in on a number of moves this season: He started the year with the Brooklyn Nets, was relieved of his duties, and was picked early by the Lakers. He played two games, averaging 7 points and 3 rebounds. The 21-year-old is a former 2019 Detroit Pistons first-round player.

Huff, a 7-1 big in Virginia, played just five minutes in four games for the Lakers. He has four rebounds and no points.