Washington Wizards Injury Update: Emeka Okafor Out At Los Angeles Lakers

Mar 15, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Wizards center Emeka Okafor (50) dribbles as New Orleans Hornets small forward Lance Thomas (42) defends during the first half at the Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA Today Sports

The Wizards have announced that starting center Emeka Okafor is out tonight against the Lakers dealing with the flu. Center Jason Collins will start in his place. Okafor had averaged 10.7 points and 9.6 rebounds per game over his last nine games.

In 34 games this year, Collins has averaged just 10.3 minutes per game. Collins was acquired with injured point guard Leandro Barbosa in the trade that sent shooting guard Jordan Crawford to the Boston Celtics.

The Wizards will look to win their seventh game out of their last 11 tonight as they take on the Lakers. With Washington playing well as of late and multiple Lakers starters dinged up, the game could be closer than it would appear on paper.