Mike D’Antoni Thinks Metta World Peace is Done for the Regular Season


Given that Metta World Peace has a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee, it’s not entirely surprising that those in Lakerland think he won’t be playing again for while. Head coach Mike D’Antoni says he’s not optimistic MWP will suit up again until the Playoffs (should the Lakers even qualify.) Per the LA Daily News: “I say I’m not optimistic only because it’s a couple weeks,’ D’Antoni said. ‘If it’s bad enough to get it checked, we’ll see what it is once we get it checked, but it’ll be tough.’ The Lakers will find more answers later today once Lakers team doctor Steve Lombardo reexamines World Peace in Los Angeles. But World Peace’s injury sounds serious. The Lakers (36-35) have 11 games remaining, including tonights’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves (25-44) at Target Center. The Lakers play their last game against the Houston Rockets on April 15. Considering the Lakers only have a one-game lead over the Utah Jazz (35-36) for the eighth playoff spot, it’s anybody’s guess whether the Lakers will play beyond that. […] ‘It seems like all year when somebody comes out, somebody goes down,’ Lakers center Dwight Howard said. ‘It’s tough. Then to see Metta go down, it hurts.’ […] World Peace stayed healthy all season before this point and averaged 12.8 points on 40.5 percent shooting per game, his highest scoring output in four seasons with the Lakers. World Peace became the fifth and final Lakers starter to experience a significant injury this season.”