Update:
After suffering from a back injury during Friday’s game against the Clippers, Julius Randle has been limited in practice. The big man participated on Monday, the last day for him to receive an unlikely extension, but was held out of contact portions which included a scrimmage that Luke Walton has indicated could affect who gets the starting power forward job.
Julius Randle, who had back spasms on Friday and had to leave the game, participated in some of practice, but not the contact elements.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) October 16, 2017
Original story follows:
The Lakers have been unable to avoid the injury bug this preseason. Rookie point guard Lonzo Ball was the most notable downed player after suffering a sprained ankle that took him out of the majority of preseason games.
Now, another member of the Lakers’ young core could be replacing him on the sidelines. Julius Randle was taken out of the Lakers’ final preseason game against the LA Clippers on Friday after the power forward suffered from back spasms. He would not return to the game:
Julius Randle has back spasms. Will not return tonight.
— Bill Oram (@billoram) October 14, 2017
Randle has been relatively healthy ever since breaking his leg in the first game of his rookie season. But back spasms are nothing to sneeze at. They can range from something that is just a minor hindrance to a nagging injury that can affect him the rest of the year.
Randle’s front court mate Brook Lopez had back spasms earlier this offseaosn but was able to rejoin the team on the court halfway through the preseason.
We’ll be keeping an eye out on Randle’s status and whether it will impact his availability. The Lakers open the season next Thursday against the Clippers.
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