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The Lakers could be set to have some reinforcements return to the frontcourt these playoffs against the Nuggets. Christian Wood, who has been out since mid-February, is reportedly set to return to the Lakers for Game 3, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Wood last played a game for the Lakers on Feb. 14, just prior to the All-Star break.

Lakers F/C Christian Wood is planning to return to action in Game 3 vs. the Denver Nuggets on Thursday in LA, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. A key boost to Lakers frontcourt. Wood, out since Feb. 14 due to knee injury, has averaged 7 points and 5.1 rebounds this season. pic.twitter.com/DknRfbwpfx

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 21, 2024

Wood had moved back into the team’s rotation when he went down with injury. Over the 17 games prior to his injury, Wood averaged 14.1 minutes per game and was averaging 6.1 points and 4.1 rebounds.

However, Wood was sidelined for some time before it was announced that he would undergo arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-March. With all the focus on the returns of Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt, Wood’s rehab progress has gone completely under the radar.

The questions now will be how, or even if, he fits back into the rotation. A lot has changed since Wood last played a game for the Lakers. The team has found both a rhythm offensively and a consistent rotation.

However, at the same time, they’re a side that sorely needs some size in the front court. With just Jaxson Hayes as a backup big man to Anthony Davis, Wood could provide more depth and the ability to play multiple bigs, which could help the rebounding issues the team had in Game 1 against Denver.

The other challenge, though, is that going from being on the bench since mid-February to a playoff series against the defending champions with no warm-up in between is an incredibly tall ask. Realistically, it’s an ask likely too tall for anyone, but the Lakers may not have a choice.

It adds another layer for the Lakers to consider in the coming days. How Game 2 plays out could impact that decision. If the Lakers return to Los Angeles down 0-2, their decision may look a lot different than if they are tied 1-1.

Either way, it seems they have options now in the frontcourt, a luxury they haven’t been afforded in months.