Report: Lakers’ Talen Horton-Tucker Needs Thumb Surgery

The Los Angeles Lakers built a strong roster in the offseason but they didn’t predict some of the problems players face at the moment. Injuries. The team entered the preseason with a few injuries and the situation doesn’t look really well for these players. Trevor Ariza and Malik Monk are already out. Talen Horton-Tucker suffered an injury and had to undergo a surgery.

The Lakers guard will miss a lot of time after tearing a ligament in his right thumb. Shams Charania from The Athletic confirmed the information.

Re: Horton-Tucker: Average lost time following surgery for an in-season ligament tear of the thumb is 26 games (~7 weeks) though the number has improved in recent seasons. Capela, CP3, and Marcus Smart all returned after missing an average of 15 games.

— Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) October 11, 2021

We don’t know much time THT would miss this time. The Lakers offered him a good contract for a reason and they really needed him on the floor in the regular season. Horton-Tucker is a key player for the franchise and his absence won’t go unnoticed. LA had a crowded backcourt and Lakers head coach Frank Vogel had to make a decision about the playing time players will get in 2021-22. Losing Monk and THT to injuries will give more minutes to Kendrick Nunn, Kent Bazemore, and Wayne Ellington.

The Lakers will have to find a replacement for Talen Horton-Tucker following his surgery

If Horton-Tucker and Monk miss a lot of time, LA should bring a replacement for these players. James Ennis may get a chance to join the Lakers and see some action. He is 31 and yes, he would definitely love to take the court with the team. Ennis is a good defender and he shot 43 percent from deep with the Orlando Magic in the 2020-21 NBA season.

Ennis would be a good option for the Lakers. The team will enter the season with a few issues on the table but Rob Pelinka will find the best solution for them.

They traded for Russell Westbrook and brought a few more veterans to LA. This will be more than enough for the team. LA will face a huge challenge in the upcoming season. The Western Conference is stronger this season and Lakers players should elevate their game to beat their opponents. They lost a lot of games in the preseason but players are not really discouraged. Vogel has the perfect gameplan. It’s showtime!