LOS ANGELES – Dennis Schroder missed the Lakers game against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday night due to NBA health and safety protocols, the team announced about an hour before disconnecting.
Schroder 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 health and safety protocols this season, joining Alex Caruso and Alfonzo McKinnie. LA is part of a handful of teams that have not postponed any games due to COVID-19, with more than a third of the season already completed.
Schroder’s absence was the final blow to what could be a potential preview of the final. The Lakers were without Anthony Davis, who has a straight calf stem and Achilles tendonitis. The Nets missed Kevin Durant for a third straight game due to a tense left hamstring.
Schroder’s news clearly caught the Lakers off guard. During his preliminary remarks, coach Frank Vogel pointed out that Schroder is the key to LA’s 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. I look forward to seeing the Dennis Schroder-Kyrie Irving match,” Vogel said. “I think this is one of which Dennis is giving us a different dynamic this year and I look forward to seeing this match.”
The Lakers did not announce how long Schroder could miss or reveal what triggered the health and safety protocols.