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Report: Torn thumb ligament to sideline Lakers' Nick Young for 8 weeks

Brad Rempel / USA Today Sports

The city of Los Angeles is a tad darker Friday night without Nick Young's shining smile after the small forward tore a ligament in his right thumb.

Young tried to swipe the ball from Kobe Bryant during practice and ended up injuring his shooting hand. An MRI revealed the extent of the damage.

Young will have surgery Monday, the Lakers announced

Young enjoyed a breakout season with the Lakers least season, posting a career-high 17.9 points per game. The Lakers were counting on Young to provide offense off the bench, and inked him to a four-year, $24-million deal in the offseason.

With Young out of the lineup, look for wings Wayne Ellington, Wesley Johnson, and/or Xavier Henry to pick up the scoring slack.

Working off the timeline of eight weeks, Young would miss the rest of training camp, the preseason, and the first month of the regular season. 

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