LOS ANGELES_The Los Angeles Lakers ruled out Larry Nance Jr. for Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers, but he is nearing his return to playing.
Nance went through a full practice Thursday at the Toyota Sports Center and impressed Coach Luke Walton.
"Yesterday they left out the last thing, more physical drills," Nance said Thursday. "Today I went through those. It's just been a progression and today was the next step of that progression so I went through the whole thing today. ... That's definitely a medical call. It's their job to clear me. Apparently I've got a few more tests to pass and everything. I'm just looking forward to getting back."
Nance has not played since Dec. 20 when he suffered a bone bruise on his left knee while fighting for a loose ball with Charlotte Hornets center Cody Zeller. Although the Lakers initially feared a worse injury, a medical examination showed no structural damage for Nance.
Nance began doing one-on-one drills Sunday with rookie Ivica Zubac. Zubac said he won their series, 3-2, but Nance disputed Zubac's claim. "Isn't it always like a child's job to talk trash to their dad?" Nance said. "I talk trash to my dad. He hasn't beaten me, I haven't beaten my dad. That's just how it goes."
Nance progressed to two-on-two drills this week and a full practice Thursday.
"He looked good today," Walton said. "The way I saw him play he looked like he could play. But that's not a medical opinion, that's just me watching him play basketball."
