Nick Young Injury: Updates on Lakers Star's Foot and Return

Los Angeles Lakers wing Nick Young left the floor during Wednesday night's game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers with a foot injury and did not return. He returned to action against the Nets on Feb. 20 following the All-Star break.

Continue for update.

Young Returns vs. Nets 

Thursday, Feb. 19

Mike Trudell of Lakers.com reported Young would return vs. the Nets on Friday.

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Young Strains Tendon in Foot

Wednesday, Feb. 11

Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report reported Young suffered a left peroneal tendon strain.

Mark Medina of the L.A. Daily News reported Young's thoughts on how his foot felt after the game:

Young suffered a sprained ankle during a January 26 practice and missed multiple games, so this latest ailment is a discouraging sign.

The Lakers can't afford to lose anyone off their current, injury-plagued roster, which is already without Kobe Bryant and first-round rookie Julius Randle for the 2014-15 NBA season.

Scoring is a big problem for L.A., and Young is such a big boost off the bench when he's healthy. However, Young's all-around game leaves something to be desired.

Head coach Byron Scott hinted at that in his assessment when Young returned to the hardwood from his prior injury, via the Los Angeles Daily News' Mark Medina:

It will be on Wayne Ellington to pick up the slack as a scorer on the wing in Young's absence.

The volume of shots Young takes can tend to impede the fluidity of the Lakers' offense. Thus, a break from Young in the lineup may also aid ball movement and help point guard Jeremy Lin get into a better rhythm, working pick-and-roll situations with players like Ryan Kelly.

This is an opportunity for L.A. to see what it has in some of its younger core players, including promising rookie Jordan Clarkson.

More time for evaluation and looking ahead to the future are the only elements to this season that the proud Lakers franchise can take much solace in at this point.