Cavaliers power forward Larry Nance Jr. will miss Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the team with which his career began.
Nance suffered a sprained right wrist during Sunday’s blowout loss to the Boston Celtics.
He has been starting in place of injured Kevin Love (calf) for most of the season, compiling averages of 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 16 games. He also leads the NBA in steals at 2.3 per game.
Nance, 28, is 6-foot-7 and in his fourth season with the Cavs. The Akron native spent the first three years of his career with the Lakers.
His injury is just the latest in a string of pain to start the season for the Cavs (8-8). They remain without Love and have also been missing starting guards Collin Sexton and Darius Garland, as well as rookie swingman Dylan Windler — often all at the same time.
Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff could potentially start newcomer Taurean Prince in Nance’s place, though Prince is a small forward by nature.
Monday marks the first meeting of the season between the Cavs and the defending champion Lakers (13-4), who have yet to lose a road game.
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