LA Lakers Lose Big Man For Rest Of Regular Season

The Los Angeles Lakers depth continues to be tested, as they've picked themselves up nicely in LeBron James' absence, going 4-2, and 7-3 in their last ten. But now another frontcourt piece is down for the count. 

Lakers' Mo Bamba is out for at least four weeks with a high left ankle sprain, team says.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 9, 2023

NBA Insider Shams Charania reports that backup center Mo Bamba has suffered a high left ankle sprain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks, which will likely cost him the rest of the regular season, which wraps up on April 9th. 

The Lakers acquired Bamba from the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline in exchange for Patrick Beverley in what amounted to a four-team trade. 

In seven games, Bamba has played an average of 11.7 minutes off the bench, and averaged 4.4 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Bamba was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, and spent his first 4 ½ seasons with the Magic. But a glut of 6'10" big men in Orlando made him expendable. 

As for the Lakers' frontcourt, in Bamba's absence, Wenyen Gabriel and Jarred Vanderbilt will be the beneficiary of more minutes behind Anthony Davis. 

Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports