Report: Lakers’ Young to miss 8 weeks with thumb injury

Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young tore a ligament in his right thumb during practice on Thursday and will have surgery on his thumb on Monday, the Lakers announced Friday.

The Lakers stated that an estimate for Young’s return will be provided after the surgery is performed. However, the Los Angeles Times reported that Young is expected to be sidelined about eight weeks.

An MRI exam indicated that Young has a complete tear of the radial collateral ligament. Dr. Steven Shin of the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic will perform the surgery.

Young was injured Thursday while attempting to steal the ball from Kobe Bryant at practice.

Earlier this week, Lakers coach Byron Scott said Young could be the NBA’s sixth man of the year.

Young, 29, averaged a career-high 17.9 points last season, when he played in 64 games, including nine starts, for the Lakers.

He signed a four-year, $21.5-million contract with the Lakers in July.

The Lakers play their first regular-season game Oct. 28.