Lakers F Young not expected to return this season, coach says

Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young hasn't played since fracturing his left kneecap in February. His coach doesn't expect him to make a comeback at all this season.

According to Lakers.com and multiple sites, head coach Byron Scott said after practice on Saturday that he did not expect Young to come back this season.

 "I haven't even talked to (head athletic trainer) Gary (Vitti), to be honest with you," Scott said, according to Lakers.com. "My feeling really is that, with seven games left, he probably won't play the rest of the season. Like I said, the last report that I did get on him -- which was when we were on the road --€” was that he really wasn't making much progress."

Young has not played since he was hurt against Boston on Feb. 22, though he has reportedly been re-evaluated on a weekly basis. He also missed the first 10 games of the season with a torn ligament in his thumb, as well as three games mid-season with a sprained ankle.

"Being out as long as he's been out with seven games to go, I don't really see how he can probably play," Scott said, the site reports. "He's got to get back into game condition and things like that. So I don't think there's a chance he's going to play in the next week."

Young, 29, has shot 36.6 percent from the field this season and averaged 13.4 points.

According to multiple reports, Scott also said that Young would need to "elevate his game" when he returns.

"He has to grow as a basketball player if he wants to continue to play in this league for a long time," Scott said. "He has to get better moving without the ball; being able to defend people a little bit better; and be a better off-the-ball defender as well."