Adou Thiero ‘trending in the right direction,’ could return from knee injury by end of week

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Darius Acuff Jr. #5 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against Adou Thiero #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) | Getty Images

After garnering considerable praise during the offseason and training camp for his development and diligent work, Adou Thiero has unfortunately yet to suit up in the regular season as he deals with swelling in his left knee. But according to head coach JJ Redick, it sounds like the second-year forward is potentially nearing a return.

“He’s had some live exposures and I think he’s trending in the right direction,” Redick told reporters prior to the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Miami Heat on Monday. “Hopefully by the end of the week he’ll be available.”

Thiero’s latest injury bout marks a turbulent first year and change in the NBA. He missed considerable time as a rookie with swelling in his left knee, which sidelined him for all of preseason and the first 13 games of the regular season, before a sprained MCL in his right knee rendered him unavailable from late December to mid-February.

Fortunately, it sounds like he should be back sooner rather than later; although, swelling in the same knee a year later is undoubtedly concerning.

His point-of-attack defense and general activity, both of which popped at times during the preseason, could help invigorate the Lakers’ 18th-ranked defense. They’ve often struggled to contain the ball and looked overmatched athletically on the perimeter at times. If he can find a reliable role offensively — and playing alongside Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves increases that possibility — Thiero’s size and athleticism can remedy some of those issues.

For now, though, the focus is on Thiero becoming fully healthy and returning to the floor. Once he does that, determining whether there’s a spot for him in Los Angeles’ wing rotation, one that’s off to a pretty commendable start through eight games, can enter the conversation.

In the meantime, Los Angeles will keep relying on Ziaire Williams, Matisse Thybulle, Jake LaRavia and Quentin Grimes to hold things down at the forward spots. The Lakers will look for their seventh win of the season when they face the Sacramento Kings inside Golden 1 Center Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

You can follow Jackson on Twitter at @jackfrank_jjf.