Christian Wood's Knee Surgery Puts Lakers' Playoff Hopes in Jeopardy

Written by Published

The Lakers' big man, Christian Wood, will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, as reported by ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Dave McMenamin. Wood, who has been sidelined since the All-Star break due to a knee issue, faces uncertainty about his return before the postseason.

This development leaves the Lakers with a potential gap at center if Wood cannot make it back before the play-in. Anthony Davis is the current starter, with Jaxson Hayes as backup, but the team would have no room for error in this crucial position.

Despite showing flashes of strong offensive play this season, Wood has struggled to find a consistent role in the rotation, mainly due to his defensive limitations. In the 50 games he played, Wood averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, shooting 30.7% from 3-point range.

Last summer, the Lakers signed Wood to a two-year veteran minimum contract, with a $3 million player option for next season. His absence could be a significant factor for the team as they aim for a strong playoff push.