MIAMI – Lakers forward Julius Randle will miss Thursday night’s game against the Miami Heat so he can be with his fiancée in Los Angeles for the birth of their baby boy, Kyden.
Randle participated in the morning shootaround Thursday before taking an afternoon flight back to Los Angeles. The Lakers have not formally ruled Randle out for Friday’s game in Orlando, but he is unlikely to play.
The Lakers (11-20) were already shorthanded in their frontcourt with injuries to Larry Nance Jr. (left knee) and Tarik Black (right ankle). Lakers coach Luke Walton will most likely start Brandon Ingram at small forward, while sliding veteran Luol Deng to the power forward spot.