Veteran Lakers forward Jared Dudley has suffered a serious injury. Via the OC Register:
As of Sunday afternoon, however, it is worth wondering how much longer Dudley’s blue-collar run through the NBA will last after the Lakers revealed that the forward has torn the MCL in his right knee. Already a little-used player who has struggled with injury for much of the season — Dudley has scored just six points in 11 appearances this season — it could be one of the closing drumbeats of a charmed career.
The Lakers said Dudley was still evaluating his treatment options as of Sunday evening and was not yet officially ruled out for the season. Depending on the grade of tear, such injuries can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to heal. The Lakers have 34 regular season games remaining before the playoffs begin in mid-May.
It’s an unwelcome addition to a lengthy injury report: For Monday’s game at Golden State, the Lakers are already without Anthony Davis (right calf strain), Marc Gasol (health and safety protocols), Alex Caruso (mild concussion) and Kostas Antetokounmpo (health and safety protocols). Even though Dudley hasn’t played much this season, he’s gotten recent nods for defensive presence without Davis to man the middle.
The Lakers are 25-13 this season. Dudley, who will turn 36 this summer, barely plays this days and is averaging 0.5 points, 1.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists in 6.9 minutes per game.
