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[Saba Sports News] The Los Angeles Lakers face yet another extended absence from a key player in their rotation. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Lakers big man Christian Wood has opted for arthroscopic knee surgery, projecting his recovery time to span several weeks. With the regular season concluding on Apr. 14, this leaves Wood sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Wood, 28, has been out of action since the All-Star break due to this injury. Prior to his absence, he was contributing 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds in less than 18 minutes per game off the bench for the Lakers.
The absence of Wood, particularly on a team lacking depth behind Anthony Davis, presents challenges for the Lakers. While Jaxson Hayes has assumed the role of backup center, he doesn’t offer the same versatile offensive contributions as Wood. The team is also experimenting with unconventional lineups, including smaller units featuring Taurean Prince in the frontcourt and Max Christie in the rotation.
With the Lakers currently ranked tenth in the Western Conference after two consecutive losses, they face urgency in solidifying their position in the standings. However, they must do so without the assistance of Wood, adding to their list of long-term absences this season.