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Los Angeles Lakers: Jordan Clarkson Fine After Shoulder Scare

By Chris Walton

Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson (6) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /
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Thursday night’s matchup with the Golden State Warriors provided a dreaded familiar scene for Los Angeles Lakers fans. Spectators watched the face of a big portion of their future wince with pain while grimacing and grabbing under the lights of another hard fought battle.

Jordan Clarkson generated collective groans inside and outside the arena as he left the Lakers’ 136-97 loss late in the second quarter. The consensus feeling of another injured Laker had the fan base swearing at the basketball gods despite their gift of what finally looks like youthful direction in Los Angeles.

It was literally a bang-bang play that sidelined Clarkson. If you were to take your eyes off the game for too long then you wouldn’t even know there was an injury to be had. Trainer Gary Vitti pulled him off to the sidelines as he should have. Some of the most devastating injuries can come from the simplest movements or strikes (see the Kobe Bryant Achilles and rotator cuff tear).

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Good news was bestowed upon both the fans and front office, as Jordan Clarkson’s x-ray revealed no major damage to a diagnosed sprained shoulder. In the case of any injury, there’s always apprehension as to what lies forward for a player. In Clarkson’s situation, the Lakers were able to dodge the bullet of any long-term woes contrary to how things have previously played out.

The team has suffered over the years with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Bryant, and Steve Nash all going down at different times. Clarkson isn’t near the caliber of those players, but as mentioned, he’s one of, if not, the biggest pieces of their puzzle going forward.

Before even glimpsing into the future, the Lakers’ first order of business is getting Clarkson healthy enough for next week’s opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 23-year-old feels confident that he will be ready:

The Lakers will closely monitor his progress before officially giving him the go, or keeping him out of action. The team will certainly need Clarkson, as he has proven that last year’s All-Rookie selection was no slump thus far. He’s averaged 12 points on 45 percent shooting during the preseason. Arguably, Clarkson may be the Lakers’ best option offensively outside of Bryant.

While it may have just been the youth talking, Clarkson must be patient in is return to the court. The last thing the Lakers need is any further setbacks. The plan is to look long-term, and a move like playing Clarkson through these times could be foolish. On the brighter side of things, the clean bill that Clarkson got back after an MRI is all that matters.

It’s a minor roadblock, but things could certainly be worse.

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