Lakers' Christian Wood out two months after latest knee surgery

dan woike

Mon, Sep 9, 2024, 6:00 p.m.·1 min read

Los Angeles, CA - January 23: Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook, #0, battles Lakers forward Christian Wood, #35 for control of a loose ball in the second half at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024. Clippers beat the Lakers 116-127. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) — Lakers forward Christian Wood and Clippers point guard Russell Westbrook battle for a loose ball during a game last season. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Christian Wood will not be available for all of training camp, the Lakers announcing that he’ll miss at least the next eight weeks because of more knee problems.

Wood underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Monday, the Lakers said. He also had the knee operated on last March.

For Wood, the injury delays the comeback season he had hoped for after signing a minimum deal with the Lakers before the 2023-24 season.

He averaged 6.9 points and 5.1 rebounds last season for the Lakers, never fully carving out a role as a backup big man.

Wood, who will soon turn 29, is entering a critical season for his career. He was forced to pick up his player option with the Lakers this summer and return to the team with which he struggled to consistently make a major impact.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.