LOS ANGELES – Dennis Schroder missed the Lakers game against the Brooklyn Nets Thursday night due to NBA safety and health protocols, the team announced about an hour before the launch.
Schroder had started all 29 Lakers games this season, averaging 14.2 points, 4.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds. Wesley Matthews started in his place against the Nets.
He is only the third Lakers player to waste time due to safety and health protocols this season, along with Alex Caruso and Alfonzo McKinnie. LA is one of the few teams that has not postponed a game due to COVID-19, with more than a third of the season completed.
Schroder’s absence was the last time in what could be a pre-final potential. The Lakers were without Anthony Davis, who has a right calf strain and Achilles tendinosis. The Nets missed Kevin Durant for the third straight game due to left hamstring strain.
Schroder’s news clearly surprised the Lakers. During his pre-match comments, coach Frank Vogel noted that Schroder was key to Los Angeles’ plans to try to stop Kyrie Irving.
“They are prolific on the offensive side of the ball, so it will be a good challenge for our defense. Looking forward to seeing the Dennis Schroder-Kyrie Irving match,” Vogel said. “I think Dennis offers us a different dynamic this year and I’m looking forward to seeing that showdown.”
The Lakers did not announce how much time Schroder could waste or disclose that triggered health and safety protocols.