Lakers Rookie Adou Thiero to Be Re-Evaluated in Four Weeks After Right MCL Sprain
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The Los Angeles Lakers said Monday that rookie forward Adou Thiero has been diagnosed with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee and will undergo another medical evaluation in roughly four weeks.
The club did not specify when the injury occurred. Thiero, 21, recently returned from surgery on his left knee, a procedure that forced him to sit out Summer League, the entire preseason and the opening weeks of the regular schedule.
Los Angeles has limited the 6-foot-6 forward’s workload while he regains full fitness. He has appeared in 15 games, averaging 5.8 minutes, 1.3 points and 1.2 rebounds.
The Lakers moved up in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft to select Thiero out of Arkansas despite being aware of his left-knee operation. With a separate injury now affecting his right knee, the organization is expected to maintain its cautious approach.
Thiero’s setback adds to an already short-handed roster. Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura are dealing with calf issues, and Gabe Vincent remains out because of a back problem.
Veteran guard Marcus Smart, who has taken on a mentorship role with the rookie, recently advised Thiero to concentrate on defense as a pathway to consistent playing time, noting that scoring opportunities will follow once he establishes himself on that end of the floor.
Source: Lakers Nation
