What happened: Los Angeles Lakers guard Quentin Grimes was ruled out for Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks due to a sprain in his right finger. Head coach JJ Redick stated pregame that Grimes attempted to play through the injury, but swelling in his right shooting hand prevented him from taking the floor.
Why it matters: The absence trims backcourt depth for Los Angeles as Grimes looks to establish himself with the Lakers early in the campaign. Los Angeles enters play atop the Western Conference on a six-game winning streak against a struggling Milwaukee squad.
By the numbers: Grimes has recorded 8.0 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game, and 2.5 assists per game in 2026-27 through 11 games. Los Angeles enters 10-2 through 12 games as the West's top seed, while Milwaukee is 1-10 on a seven-game losing streak.
What to watch: The Lakers will evaluate the swelling in Grimes' shooting hand prior to their next outing to assess his status.