Lakers Injury News: Larry Nance, Jr. leaves preseason game with hand injury

The Los Angeles Lakers got off to their STAPLES Center preseason debut pushing the pace for a quick lead over the Denver nuggets, but an injury to Larry Nance, Jr. may bring the mood down. Nance, Jr. suffered a sprained right index finger during the second quarter, forcing him to leave the game.

Lakers sideline reporter Mike Trudell reports that he’s questionable to return. Considering it’s only a preseason game, and that the Lakers have more than enough players to spread those minutes to, it’d be surprising to see him back on the floor.

A sprained finger is a fairly low-scare injury, but it is worth noting that it’s his shooting hand (right). That could make what’s sometimes an otherwise-ignorable ding a bit more troublesome.

Kyle Kuzma and Thomas Bryant are likely the two biggest benefactors if Nance takes any extra time off, but it’s too early to say it’s more than precautionary that the Lakers are waiting to get a better idea about the extent of the injury.

Keep an ear and eye out for another update from Trudell sometime shortly after the game.