National Basketball Association

Lakers' Nick Young has torn right thumb ligament

Published Oct. 3, 2014 9:17 p.m. ET

foxsports

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young has completely torn a ligament in his right thumb.

The Lakers announced Friday that Young needs surgery. They don't know how long he'll be out.

Young will have surgery on his thumb Monday. He was injured while trying to steal the ball from Kobe Bryant, jamming his thumb against Bryant's arm during practice Friday.

Young was the Lakers' leading scorer last season, his first with his hometown team. The shooting guard averaged 17.9 points per game while mostly coming off the bench, entertaining Lakers fans with his ebullient style during the club's worst season in a half-century.

Young agreed to a four-year, $21.5 million deal to stay with the Lakers in July.