In another twist that goes beyond tragedy straight into high comedy, it seems that yet another Laker has fallen to injury.
After an ineffective 17 minute performance going 0-6 for a big donut in points, rebounds but 1 assist, Metta World Peace sat the entire second half due to a bum left knee. Chris Duhon played in his absence, finishing with an astounding zero points and zero assists in 25 (!) minutes. After the game, the former Ron Artest said he couldn't see himself playing on Sunday. Check this tweet from Janis Carr of the OC Register:
Metta says he is doubtful for Sunday's Game 4. I wasn't effective
— janis carr (@janiscarr) April 27, 2013
World Peace famously came back from surgery for a left torn meniscus after less than two weeks on the inactive list. However, that doesn't seem to be the direct cause for his ineffectiveness on Friday. Earlier in the day, MWP had 20 CCs of liquid drained from a cyst on his left knee, which reportedly had nothing to do with his surgery. Either way, it's clear that the knee was limiting his lift and mobility, and will most likely cause the starting small forward to miss the Lakers' probable season finale Sunday.
With four Lakers wing rotation players already sidelined with injury, why even risk further injury to another? In his state, MWP was not helping LA Friday, contributing to poor perimeter play on both offense and defense. The Lakers are clearly outclassed and simply outmanned, and thus, no reason for the 33 year-old to play and set up himself up for more offseason surgery.
In the "Even Worse News" department, Devin Ebanks might be freed from his courtside shackles tomorrow to shore up an incredibly short rotation. Seeing as the small forward contributes little to nothing on either end of the floor, there's still a chance center Robert Sacre gets MWP's playing time, with Antawn Jamison and Earl Clark filling in as small forward.
--Mambino
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