Originally published by LakersNation.com
Game 3 was a physical one with the Los Angeles Lakers getting the better of the Phoenix Suns to take a 2-1 series lead in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, the physical nature led to some minor injuries as both Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder both appeared to hurt their ankles although were able to stay in the game.
The same cannot be said for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who hyperextended his knee/quad after bumping into Devin Booker in the third quarter. Caldwell-Pope was unable to return to the game and the Lakers revealed on Friday morning that he underwent an MRI to find out what exactly they are dealing with.
The results of said MRI are in and according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, there is no tear and he is already showing improvement:
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s bruised left quad showed slight improvement since Gm 3 and an MRI administered Friday revealed no tear, sources told ESPN. The Lakers guard will see how he responds to rest and treatment come Saturday and his status will be determined for Sunday’s Gm 4
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 28, 2021
This is obviously great news for the Lakers as they cannot afford to lose their starting shooting guard in the midst of a potential championship run.
While Caldwell-Pope has not shot the ball well in the first three games of the series, his physicality defending Booker has been invaluable to the team.
Caldwell-Pope explains how injury happened
While the MRI results were a positive sign, it remains to be seen if Caldwell-Pope will be ready to return to action in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon. He said after the Game 3 win though that he hopes that’s the case.
He also described how he suffered the injury while defending Booker.
“It was me coming off the pick-and-roll with him [Booker], the kind of hostage situation, he tried to hostage me. He kind of like backed into my leg and it hyperextended a little bit,” Caldwell-Pope said. “Other than that, that was all that happened. I felt immediately pain when it did, when he bumped me and it hyperextended. It was painful enough where I couldn’t finish the game.”
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Game 3 was a physical one with the Los Angeles Lakers getting the better of the Phoenix Suns to take a 2-1 series lead in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, the physical nature led to some minor injuries as both Anthony Davis and Dennis Schroder both appeared to hurt their ankles although were able to stay in the game.
The same cannot be said for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who hyperextended his knee/quad after bumping into Devin Booker in the third quarter. Caldwell-Pope was unable to return to the game and the Lakers revealed on Friday morning that he underwent an MRI to find out what exactly they are dealing with.
The results of said MRI are in and according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, there is no tear and he is already showing improvement:
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope’s bruised left quad showed slight improvement since Gm 3 and an MRI administered Friday revealed no tear, sources told ESPN. The Lakers guard will see how he responds to rest and treatment come Saturday and his status will be determined for Sunday’s Gm 4
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 28, 2021
This is obviously great news for the Lakers as they cannot afford to lose their starting shooting guard in the midst of a potential championship run.
While Caldwell-Pope has not shot the ball well in the first three games of the series, his physicality defending Booker has been invaluable to the team.
Caldwell-Pope explains how injury happened
While the MRI results were a positive sign, it remains to be seen if Caldwell-Pope will be ready to return to action in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon. He said after the Game 3 win though that he hopes that’s the case.
He also described how he suffered the injury while defending Booker.
“It was me coming off the pick-and-roll with him [Booker], the kind of hostage situation, he tried to hostage me. He kind of like backed into my leg and it hyperextended a little bit,” Caldwell-Pope said. “Other than that, that was all that happened. I felt immediately pain when it did, when he bumped me and it hyperextended. It was painful enough where I couldn’t finish the game.”
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events, participate in live shows, and more!
