The Los Angeles Lakers are back from Hawaii and will continue the preseason hosting the Toronto Raptors at the Staples Center this Thursday.
Los Angeles opened the preseason in Hawaii facing the Utah Jazz in back-to-back games and losing both.
The first game ended in a 90–71 blowout and the second was a 117–114 overtime defeat.
Unfortunately, it was not just the game which the Lakers lost. Their 2015 number two pick point guard D'Angelo Russell left in the first quarter of the second game against Utah with a bruised glute muscle, according to the Associated Press.
Russell collided with Jazz center Rudy Gobert who was attacking the rim and went down after the contact.
The former Ohio State Buckeye stayed down for a few moments before being assisted to the locker room and was ruled out for the game.
Russell's injury is a huge blow for the Lakers who are expecting the rookie to be the future of the franchise.
Last season, 2014 number seven pick Julius Randle was out for the entire year after suffering a leg injury in their regular season opener against the Houston Rockets.
Because of the injury, Russell will likely not play when they face the Raptors this Thursday in their home court.
The Raptors are heading to the game at 1–1 after winning in their preseason opener against the Los Angeles Clippers (93-73) but lost in their most recent outing against defending champs the Golden State Warriors (95–87).
Despite the loss, it was a good sign for the Raptors as forward DeMarre Carroll led the team with 15 points, also tallying three rebounds and one steal.
Carroll was a free agent signing by the Raptors from the Atlanta Hawks in the offseason.
The game between the Lakers and Raptors will be on Thursday, Oct. 8, at 10 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.
