The Los Angeles Lakers have won five of their last six games, but got some bad news today, as Matt Barnes has a torn lateral meniscus in his right knee. The forward hurt his knee in the first half of Friday night's win over New Orleans at Staples Center, and did not return to the game. The surgery is scheduled for early next week, per Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register, and Barnes is expected to miss several weeks.
Barnes has been a spark off the bench this season, averaging 7.4 points and 4.8 rebounds in 20.8 minutes per game while shooting 47.4% from the field, including 34.1% from three-point range. Earlier this season, Barnes had a perfect night in Minnesota, making all seven field goal attempts, including five from beyond the arc. He joined Charles Barkley as the only two players in NBA history to have 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists without missing a shot with a minimum of five field goals and five free throw attempts.
Ding also writes that the Lakers plan to recall rookie Devin Ebanks from the Bakersfield Jam of the Developmental League to take Barnes' spot on the roster. Luke Walton also figures to see more time off the bench in Barnes' absence, though Walton has played 20 or more minutes in a game just twice since the start of the 2009-2010 season. The Lakers host the New York Knicks Sunday night at Staples Center.
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