Lakers to Play Shorthanded in Seattle
The Lakers, coming off Saturday’s season-opening loss to the Houston Rockets, will not be at full strength tonight at 7:30 when they play the Seattle SuperSonics.
Reserve center Petur Gudmundsson, bothered since early in training camp with back spasms, checked into a Los Angeles hospital Monday for what the Lakers termed observation and treatment. Rookie forward Billy Thompson, whom Coach Pat Riley did not use against Houston, injured his back working out on his own Sunday, and will not make the trip.
The good news for the Lakers is that forward A.C. Green, who had the cast removed from his injured left thumb late last week, may play tonight. Green practiced Monday with his thumb in a splint.
The Lakers’ depleted front line will be tested by the SuperSonics’ combination of Xavier McDaniel, Tom Chambers and center Alton Lister.
Coming off the bench is Maurice Lucas, the former Laker picked up on waivers by Seattle in September. Lucas, 34, scored 19 points in 20 minutes in the SuperSonics’ 17-point win over the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night. On Saturday, however, he made just 2 of 7 shots in Seattle’s 11-point win over the Sacramento Kings.
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