Lakers closing out trip against Bucks without key part of backcourt

MILWAUKEE — The Lakers are closing out their road trip against the Bucks on Wednesday with a key part of their backcourt still unavailable. The team ruled Quentin Grimes out for Wednesday’s game six hours before tipoff due to a sprained finger on his right (shooting) hand that he suffered during the second half of Sunday’s win over the Pistons.His absence against the Bucks marked his second consecutive missed game due to the injury after he also sat out of Monday’s win over the Hawks in Atlanta. Grimes played a key role in the win over the Pistons that kicked off the trip before he suffered the injury. The sixth-year wing, who started in place of Luka Dončić (sat out against the Pistons due to back tightness) had 10 of his 12 points in the first quarter.Coach JJ Redick said Grimes banged his finger against the Pistons, leading to the 6-foot-5 wing going back to the locker room during the fourth quarter on Sunday with a member of the medical staff.Redick said Grimes’ X-rays came back negative. “Just some swelling,” Redick said.

“It’s obviously a shooting hand as well.So just being cautious with it.”Grimes, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Lakers in July, is averaging eight points in 26.1 minutes this season.Star guard Austin Reaves was available after sitting out of Monday’s game because of an illness.New two-way center Carson Cooper joined the team in Milwaukee after signing with the franchise on Tuesday....