The Los Angeles Lakers announced Monday that reserve forward Jordan Hill has a herniated disk in his back. The team did not declare a specific timeline or treatment approach, saying only that he "will be re-evaluated in a week" with an update to come at that time.
Yahoo Sports reported Tuesday that the injury would not require surgery and that Hill should be available for the Lakers' regular-season opener.
Hill, 25, was acquired by the Lakers from the Houston Rockets in a 2012 trade deadline move. Hill was re-signed to a two-year contract worth a reported $8 milion this summer.
Hill played 20 minutes in Los Angeles' preseason debut against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, scoring 10 points, grabbing three rebounds and dishing three assists. The Orange County Register reports that Hill was "in pain" and being treated with a heat pad during the game.
The Lakers are counting on Hill to be one of four big men in their regular rotation, along with All-Star center Dwight Howard, All-Star forward Pau Gasol and reserve forward Antawn Jamison. Howard is also currently rehabilitating from a back injury. The only other big men currently on the Lakers roster are deep reserves Robert Sacre and Earl Clark.
