PORTLAND, Ore. -- Lakers head coach Byron Scott said starting forward Wesley Johnson could return by the end of the week after suffering a strained hip flexor Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.
Johnson left that game and initial expectations were that he could be sidelined for weeks, but an MRI on Monday indicated otherwise.
"Not as bad as we thought it could be," Scott said before his team faced the Portland Trail Blazers here Monday. "He could be back as early as the end of this week or early next week."
Johnson, now in his fifth NBA season, is averaging 9.4 points and 3.7 rebounds this season.
