DETROIT _ Isaiah Thomas was not with the Los Angeles Lakers during their game Monday night, leaving for New York to evaluate treatment options for his injured hip.
Thomas began feeling stiffness Saturday in Memphis and the Lakers declared him out for that game and Monday's. It is unclear when Thomas will return to the team or if he is considering surgery.
The point guard suffered a torn labrum in his right hip on March 15, 2017, when he was playing for Boston. Thomas opted not to have surgery and played for two months with the injury, helping the Celtics to the Eastern Conference Finals before being shut down for the final three games.
The Celtics traded Thomas to the Cavaliers in August and he played in only 15 games for Cleveland after missing the first 2 { months as he recovered from the injury. The hip has continued to bother Thomas, often grimacing when he landed on it during games.
Thomas has averaged 15.6 points in 26.8 minutes for the Lakers, playing slightly better than he did in Cleveland but still a far cry from last season, when he finished fifth in voting for the most valuable player award.
He'll be a free agent at the end of the season and has said he's open to returning to the Lakers, even if he continues in a reserve role.
