The Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers had injury news go in different directions on Wednesday evening ahead of Thursday night’s Game 2.
For the Lakers, they received even more good news about veteran guard Rajon Rondo, who has been upgraded to “questionable” to play in Game 2 after being held out of Game 1 but being “medically cleared to play,” according to head coach Frank Vogel, according to the latest NBA injury report.
As for the Blazers, however, starting power forward Zach Collins will miss Game 2 and his status for a return this series in serious doubt as he is not scheduled to be re-evaluated until next week. That means that barring something unforeseen, Collins will miss Games 3 and 4 for the Blazers as well.
If Rondo is back, that will likely mean fewer minutes for Alex Caruso, who played 30 minutes last night off the bench for the Lakers. It could also mean fewer minutes for other Lakers guards, such as Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
As far as Portland, they started Wenyen Gabriel in Collins’ place in Game 1 and will continue to roll with that into Game 2.
