The Los Angeles Lakers reported on Thursday that rookie forward Adou Thiero has shown reduced swelling in his right knee and has advanced in his on-court work. According to the team, the 21-year-old will continue strength and conditioning under the performance staff and will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks.
Thiero injured the knee late in his final season at the University of Arkansas and appeared only briefly during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Head coach JJ Redick previously confirmed the forward underwent surgery before the 2025 NBA Draft, a procedure Arkansas did not announce at the time.
Los Angeles moved up twice to select Thiero with the 36th overall pick in June. He did not participate in NBA Summer League while recovering from surgery, and although the club initially projected he would be ready for training camp, the medical staff has opted for a cautious approach.
Redick recently praised Thiero’s athleticism after a team workout video highlighted the rookie’s leaping ability. Even so, the coach reiterated that the Lakers will prioritize full recovery over immediate playing time.
With a roster heavy on veteran depth, Thiero is not expected to log regular minutes during the 2025-26 season. The 6-8 forward has said he is willing to spend time with the South Bay Lakers in the NBA G League to gain game experience.
Source: LakersNation
