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Wesley Johnson not traveling with Lakers for Monday's game

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The strained right hip flexor that knocked Wesley Johnson out of Sunday's game for the Los Angeles Lakers will prevent him from traveling with the team for their Monday game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Johnson is set to undergo an MRI on the hip, and his absence will leave the Lakers quite thin on the wing, with Kobe Bryant also sitting out the second night of the back-to-back for rest. That means Wayne Ellington will draw the start at the two with Ryan Kelly likely getting the nod at small forward.

As far as the severity of the injury, head coach Byron Scott didn't sound optimistic. And why would he, considering the luck the Lakers have had on that front this season?

"I'm not going to speculate on how many games or how much time he'll be out right now," Scott said. "But talking to our trainer, it didn't look good."

In 34 games, Johnson is averaging a career-high 9.4 points with 3.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists, shooting 42 percent overall and a robust 37.7 percent from long range. He also represents the Lakers' best option at stopping opposing wings.

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