Lakers’ Nick Young says his right calf strain is feeling better

While Nick Young was initially going to stay home during the Lakers’ one-game jaunt to Houston, he made the trip to rehabilitate on the road.

“Feeling better,” the Lakers starting shooting guard said. “A lot better. I’m able to shoot around, get some shots up a little bit. Something I haven’t done in a while.”

Young suffered a right calf strain against the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 29. The injury was expected to sideline Young for two to four weeks. Young has been doing pool work that involves low impact cardio.

On Wednesday he participated in shoot-around at the Toyota Center. Lakers Coach Luke Walton hesitated to say Young was ahead of schedule.

“Feeling better and being able to be on the court is still a long way away from being able to play basketball at this level and cut and fight around screens and all that stuff,” Walton said. “… For him to get out there and shoot a little bit, just do anything on the court is a good sign.”

Young has not been able to start running.

“We’ll see how it goes probably Saturday,” Young said. “They told me I’ll probably run a little bit on Saturday and we’ll go from there.”

Death in the family

Adam Cave, the video coordinator for the Los Angeles D-Fenders, died after a motorcycle accident on Tuesday night, Walton said.

“Twenty-two,” Walton said. “Just an incredibly young kid. So our love, prayers and thoughts go out to his family. I really enjoyed the few months I got to know him. Always had a smile on his face. Really sad someone that young, that promising, that likable to be gone that soon.”

Cave joined the organization in September out of college. The D-Fenders are the Lakers’ development league affiliate and share their practice facility.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Adam’s passing,” said Joey Buss, the D-Fenders’ president and chief executive. “His energy, positivity and passion for this organization were apparent and made him a favorite among our coaches, players and staff. Adam came to work each day with the goal of making this team the best that it could be, and that is a lesson that won’t be forgotten with his passing.”

Williams scores big

Lou Williams led the Lakers in scoring for the third consecutive game with 24 points on seven-for-12 shooting. He shot and made eight free throws.

Williams scored 40 points two games prior against the Memphis Grizzlies and 38 points against the Utah Jazz on Monday, making him the first bench player in the NBA since Calvin Murphy of the Rockets in 1981 to score 38 or more points in consecutive games.