West Notes: Lakers, Dennis Schroder, Nuggets, Warriors

Lakers

Rookie shooting guard Max Christie has entered the league’s health and safety protocols, the team announced, via Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

Christie, 19, is 6-foot-6 and was the Lakers’ lone draft choice this past summer, selected at No. 35 overall out of Michigan State.

He has appeared in eight games and is averaging 3.1 points and 2.6 rebounds, showing promise for the future. The Lakers (3-10) don’t play again until Friday, when they host the Pistons.

• In case you missed it, point guard Dennis Schroder and center Thomas Bryant are expected to make their season debuts on Friday. Both players are listed as probable. You can check out the full post here.

Nuggets

• All-Star center and reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic has also entered health and safety protocols, as we relayed here. Jokic joined guard Bones Hyland in the protocols.
• Those illnesses could open the door to some playing time for rookie shooting guard Peyton Watson, the No. 30 overall pick in the draft.

Warriors

Coach Steve Kerr said he understands that time is not on the Warriors’ side when it comes to making their runs to the Finals and winning titles.

“It can only last so long,” Kerr told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. “We know this isn’t going forever. This could be the last year, maybe next year is the last year. We’re in the final stages. We know that. We want to make the most of it.”

Star guard Stephen Curry agreed, but indicated the Warriors are keeping their focus on the here and now.

“There’s not anything graceful about things ending, ever,” Curry told Shelburne. “We understand that, but you can’t worry about that when we step on the court, because it takes away from it. … We wouldn’t have won [the 2022 NBA Finals] last year had we let that be in our thoughts.”