LOS ANGELES — Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony suffered a strained right hamstring in the second quarter Thursday night against the LA Clippers and did not return.
Anthony will be re-evaluated Friday, Lakers coach Frank Vogel said.
Anthony missed a 13-foot jump shot with 1 minute, 40 seconds remaining in the first half and winced on his way down after the release. On the Lakers’ ensuing defensive possession, Anthony motioned for a substitute and immediately retreated to the locker room when Vogel called timeout to bring Stanley Johnson in for him.
Anthony was ruled out for the rest of the game and finished with seven points on 2-for-4 shooting in 11 minutes. The Clippers won 111-110.
Signed to a veteran’s minimum contract during offseason free agency, Anthony has been a consistent bright spot for the Lakers amid a challenging campaign.
Vogel praised the 19-year veteran following the Lakers’ 99-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday when Anthony scored 24 points on 8-for-12 shooting, to go with eight rebounds and two blocked shots.
“LeBron [James] gets a lot of credit for what he’s doing in Year 19,” Vogel said. “And I don’t think people are talking enough about what Carmelo is doing in Year 19. It really is remarkable.”
Anthony, 37, had appeared in 49 of the Lakers’ 52 games coming into Thursday, the second-most appearances on the team behind only Russell Westbrook.
He is averaging 13.6 points and 4.2 rebounds on the year, occupying the Lakers’ primary sixth man role.