Lakers Get Major Injury Update on Forgotten Wing Ahead of Return

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JJ Redick is in his second season as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers have endured their share of injury setbacks this season, and the issues have persisted in recent games.

Luka Doncic was sidelined for Saturday’s matchup against the Golden State Warriors after exiting Thursday’s win over the Philadelphia 76ers in the first quarter with a hamstring injury.

The early signs, however, have been encouraging, with head coach JJ Redick indicating that Doncic is considered day-to-day and not dealing with anything serious.

Away from the spotlight, another Lakers player working back from a much longer absence is quietly edging closer to a return.

Lakers Signal Progress on Long-Term Injury

On Sunday, the Lakers announced that they had assigned second-year guard Dalton Knecht and rookie wing Adou Thiero to their G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, for practice.

Knecht’s assignment appears largely developmental. The former first-round pick has experienced an inconsistent sophomore season and has hovered on the fringes of Redick’s rotation, making additional reps a logical step.

Thiero’s assignment, however, carries far more significance. The 21-year-old has been sidelined since December 30 after suffering a sprained MCL, and his inclusion in the practice session signals tangible progress in his recovery.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the rookie “participated in his first full-contact stay-ready game since the injury earlier in the week.”

Around the league, G League practice assignments are often one of the final steps before a player returns to NBA action.

High-profile stars such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry have used similar ramp ups in recent years, making Thiero’s appearance a notable checkpoint.

Since being selected with the 36th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Thiero has appeared in 15 games for Los Angeles, averaging 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds in 5.8 minutes per night while shooting 38.9% from the field.

A Wing Profile Worth Revisiting

Thiero entered the league after three collegiate seasons split between Kentucky (2022-24) and Arkansas (2024-25), bringing with him a reputation as a physical, defense-first wing with upside.

Pre-draft evaluations consistently highlighted his potential as a 3-and-D contributor, particularly on the defensive end and on the glass.

“If he’s able to figure out the shot then his length and versatility would make him a classic 3-and-D role player,” Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo! Sports wrote ahead of the draft. “With great size, lateral quickness, and physicality on top of his 7-foot wingspan, he has the ability to guard across positions.”

For a Lakers team that has searched for consistent wing defense all season, Thiero’s return could arrive at an opportune time.

While the addition of Luke Kennard at the trade deadline bolstered Los Angeles’ perimeter shooting, on paper it did little to address defensive concerns for a group currently ranked 22nd in the NBA in defensive rating at 116.5.

Whether Redick immediately works Thiero into the rotation remains uncertain, but the rookie showed flashes of potential earlier this season during his G League stints.

Across three Tip-Off Tournament games in late November and mid-December, he averaged 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.0 steals per game on 55.6% shooting in just over 20 minutes per contest.

On November 21, Thiero delivered a standout performance with 19 points, four rebounds, and three steals in only 19 minutes against the Santa Cruz Warriors.

With Kennard now in the fold, G League standout Kobe Bufkin signing to a two-year deal, and Thiero nearing a return, the Lakers suddenly have an influx of wing depth and upside.

As they head towards the All-Star break with eight wins in their last 11 games, those reinforcements could prove vital in shaping a late-season push.

Matt Evans is a sports journalist from the United Kingdom, based in Paris, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA and wider global sport. More about Matt Evans