Lakers Center Timofey Mozgov Hurt Playing For Russia
This past weekend while playing for Russia in a friendly match between Russian and the Ukraine, the Lakers' projected starting center and newly-minted $64 million man, Timofey Mozgov, came away from the contest with a groin injury that will keep him sidelined for at least a few games.
Luckily for the Lakers and Mozgov, whom the team signed to a four-year deal this offseason, an MRI has revealed that the injury likely isn't too severe although the center will be re-evaluated, according to reports.
Mozgov, who was a member of the NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers last year, had a mediocre season at best last year and the Lakers were chastised for giving him a big money deal in free agency.
However, the Lakers expect Mozgov to revert to his 2014-15 form when he averaged over seven rebounds per game and nearly 10 points per contest as a member of the Denver Nuggets and the Cavaliers.
According to a press release from the Lakers, Mozgov "will miss Russia's next two games at its international tournament in Tbilisi, Georgia, and be re-evaluated sometime mid-next week."
With the NBA preseason due to begin in less than two months for the Lakers and training camp slated to start at the end of September this could spell the end of international competition for the 7' 1'' center.
The Lakers have the right to keep Mozgov from playing internationally while he's injured should they choose to do so, so the next time you see Mozgov on the court will likely be in Laker purple and gold.
Bryan Altman is, for some reason, an unabashed fan of the Rangers, Jets and Mets. If he absolutely had to pick a basketball team it would be the Knicks, but he'd gladly trade them for a championship for any of his other three teams.
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