Reserve forward Earl Clark out indefinitely with groin injury

The Lakers are only two weeks into training camp, and there’s yet another health concern.

Lakers reserve forward Earl Clark will be out indefinitely because of a strained left groin, according to team spokesman John Black. The Lakers say they don’t know what caused the injury.

Clark, whom the Lakers acquired from Orlando as part of the Dwight Howard trade, has played a limited role. Through three preseason games, Clark has only averaged 0.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in nine minutes per game. But Clark’s absence further dents a front line already reeling with injuries, including Howard (back rehab) and Jordan Hill (herniated disk).

“I’m just here to bring energy and play as hard as I can when I get my opportunities, Clark said before the Lakers’ preseason game Saturday against the Utah Jazz. “It hasn’t come yet, but I’m just staying patient and working hard every day so that when it comes, I’ll succeed.”

Clark will now have to stay patient as he rehabs from injury.

The Lakers said they would reevaluate Hill in a week after he was diagnosed with the injury last Monday. But the Lakers haven’t done so as of today (Monday morning).

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