Lakers Injury Update: Julius Randle likely to return during upcoming road trip

The Los Angeles Lakers have been hit hard with the injury bug over the last week, with D’Angelo Russell (knee), Nick Young (toe), and Julius Randle (hip) all missing time with injuries. Russell is expected to be out for at least two weeks, while Young returned to the starting lineup in the Lakers’ 109-94 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

There is currently no reported timetable for Randle to return, but Lakers head coach Luke Walton is optimistic his starting power forward will be back sooner rather than later.

“I think he will be back at some point during this trip," Walton told reporters (as transcribed by Bob Garcia of L.A. Sports Media) following the game on Sunday night

Randle is currently averaging 13.3 points on 53.1 percent shooting to go with 8.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists while serving as one of the chief playmakers in the Lakers’ starting unit. His return at some point during the Lakers stretch of four games in five nights on the road would certainly be a welcome boon for the ailing team.

Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.