Lakers' JaVale McGee, Dion Waiters exit early with injuries

ByDave McMenamin ESPN logo
Monday, September 7, 2020

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Los Angeles Lakers lost two members of their rotation to injuries in Sunday's Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals as JaVale McGee (left ankle pain) and Dion Waiters (pulled left groin) exited early and did not return.

The Lakers won the game 117-109 to tie the series 1-1.

McGee started at center against the small-ball centric Houston Rockets but played just eight minutes, collecting two rebounds and one block and going 0-for-1 from the field before being ruled out in the third quarter. The Lakers were outscored by eight points in the time he was on the floor.

Waiters played just three minutes in the second quarter and was ruled out at halftime.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel said that McGee is getting an MRI on his ankle and that Waiters has a strained groin.

"We'll see how they respond to treatment overnight," Vogel said.