The Los Angeles Lakers preseason didn’t go the way the team had hoped for. Not only have the Lakers lost all four of their preseason games, but they’ve also seen several important role players go down with injuries. The latest one is talented guard Talen Horton-Tucker, who is expected to miss significant time after surgery.
According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Horton-Tucker had a procedure to repair torn ligaments in his right thumb. The news was confirmed by Lakers coach Frank Vogel, but he said that the team doesn’t have a timetable on the 20-year-old’s return just yet.
Horton-Tucker, a second-round pick in 2019, is coming off a breakthrough season that saw him average 9.0 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 20.1 minutes per game. The Lakers were so impressed with the Iowa State recruit that they decided to sign him to a three-year, $32 million extension in August.
Horton-Tucker had a strong showing in the preseason as well, having 12.7 points on average and being the Lakers’ second-leading scorer.
The Lakers previously lost veteran Trevor Ariza, who had an ankle injury earlier this month and will be sidelined for two months. Malik Monk is dealing with a groin injury while Kendrick Nunn has a sprained ankle.
