Larry Nance Jr. plans to return Thursday, but must pass concussion protocol

Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. will miss Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks with a concussion, but he is optimistic he’ll be able to play Thursday night in Sacramento.

“That is the game plan, at least in my mind,” Nance said.

Nance was present at practice on Monday, but the league’s concussion protocol bars him from beginning return-to-participation exertion testing until 24 hours after he initially suffers the injury.

Near the end of the first quarter of Sunday night’s Lakers win over the Phoenix Suns, Nance banged his head hard on the court. He rose slowly after the impact, then left for the bench. Nance was fouled on the play and returned to make two free throws.

He said Monday that he did not remember hitting his head, but he did remember the free throws. Lakers Coach Luke Walton then replaced Nance with starting small forward Luol Deng.

Nance said he had headaches and noise sensitivity, but no light sensitivity. He spent the rest of the game in the training room at Staples Center.

“I need these guys more than they need me,” Nance said. “Not being out there is killing me. I’m going to hate tomorrow. Whatever it takes to get right.”

tania.ganguli@latimes.com

Twitter: @taniaganguli