Christian Wood listed as questionable for Game 4 vs. Nuggets

After roughly two months out, Christian Wood appears set to make his return for the Lakers in Game 4 on Saturday against the Nuggets.

The Lakers look set to likely welcome back Christian Wood from injury for Game 4 on Saturday. After being sidelined since February with a knee injury, Wood was upgraded to questionable on the injury report ahead of the potential last game of the season for the Lakers.

Wood last played on Feb. 14 against the Utah Jazz.

Wood initially missed time due to a knee injury that he eventually had arthroscopic surgery on in March. A report from Shams Charania of The Athletic indicated that he was aiming for a Game 3 return, but that obviously didn’t come. Now, though, he’s likely set for a return on Saturday.

On paper, Wood would provide many of the things the Lakers have lacked in this series, namely in his size and rebounding. His size also would offer a different body to use against Nikola Jokic outside of Anthony Davis.

The Lakers have severely lacked front court depth in this series, with both Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt out injured. Again, Wood could help the team add some depth.

To what degree Wood is going to be able to play is the question. Even if he’s available for only 10-12 minutes in this game, it’d be a very important stretch. He proved to be able to play alongside Davis and is a more than capable rebounder.

But he’s also going to be incredibly rusty after being out for months. There can’t be much of an expectation for him to be an actual contributor in this game. The Lakers are in a do-or-die setting and while they need all the help they can get, throwing Wood from the injured list to a game of this intensity and importance is a huge, huge ask.

It’s certainly not a bad thing, though, to have another option available. It’s likely just a bit too little, too late for this one. But in a do-or-die situation, any little boost could be the difference in the Lakers winning a game. Even if it just means they’re delaying the inevitable.

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.