Lakers get new injury update on high-flying 6-foot-6 rookie forward, per reporter

The Los Angeles Lakers are preparing for a pivotal 2025-26 campaign with Luka Dončić and LeBron James at the helm, and their improved bench depth will play a key role in their potential success.

Things have already gotten off to a rough start, though, as their second-in-command superstar and 40-year-old forward James has already received a sciatica diagnosis that will keep the 21-time All-Star out of action for 3-4 weeks, leaving Dončić to carry full responsibility of running the Lakers' offense night in and night out.

Unfortunately for Dončić, Lakers reporter Jovan Buha recently revealed that another of Los Angeles' injured forwards will join the future Hall of Famer on the bench for several weeks.

"The Lakers say rookie Adou Thiero will be reevaluated in approximately 2-3 weeks," Buha shared via X on Tuesday afternoon.

"He has experienced improvement in his knee swelling and will continue to build strength in his knee as he ramps up to return."

Heading into his debut season, the franchise's No. 36 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft could eventually prove to be a useful rotational piece due to his exceptional two-way ability.

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As a junior at the University of Arkansas, Adou Thiero displayed impressive qualities on both ends of the floor on his way to averaging 15.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 0.7 blocks. Though he connected on just 28.4% of his attempts from three-point range throughout his three collegiate seasons, his raw athleticism and defensive instincts were enough for the Lakers to justify spending a second-round pick on the 6-foot-6 wing.

Thiero may not get an immediate chance to shine even when he fully recovers from his knee injury, as he'll likely be given a shot to make a real impact for the Lakers' South Bay G-League affiliate at different points throughout the year.

Still, there's no denying that his skillset could be of use for a Lakers squad in need of a few capable perimeter defenders to assist their 26-year-old phenom Dončić.

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