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The Los Angeles Lakers point guard depth has been depleted just 22 games into the season and Jordan Farmar is expected to be the first backcourt player to return. Farmar tore his hamstring during the first quarter of the Lakers' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Dec. 1 and was expected to miss a minimum of four weeks. Farmar recently told ESPN's Dave McMenamin that he's hopeful he can return ahead of schedule:
"I think, I hope, I come back way ahead of schedule," Farmar told ESPNLosAngeles.com after shootaround in Oklahoma City on Friday.
Farmar underwent platelet rich plasma therapy to expedite the healing process and a second ultrasound to check on his progress. Findings showed "healing and improvement," though hamstring tears take time to recover from and can become nagging injuries.
The Lakers do not expect Farmar to play during their four-game road trip, meaning Kobe Bryant will likely continue to start at point guard. The team has not announced a return date for Steve Nash and Steve Blake is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks with a torn ligament in his right elbow.
Farmar averaged 9.2 points and 4.4 assists per game in his return to Los Angeles, also showing his improved range by shooting 39 percent from three-point range. He's averaged 18.9 minutes per game and was key in the Lakers' rotation without Nash and Bryant.
The Lakers will re-evaluate Farmar when they return home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Dec. 20. If he is cleared to play early, he will have missed seven games over three weeks as opposed to 12 games over four weeks, as McMenamin notes.
