Nick Young ruled out for eight weeks

Los Angeles Lakers star Nick Young has been ruled out for eight weeks after undergoing thumb surgery and he will therefore miss the start of the NBA season.

Young underwent the procedure after sustaining a torn radial collateral ligament in his right thumb during practice last Thursday.

An MRI scan on Friday revealed the tear and Lakers coach Byron Scott conceded that his absence will hurt the team ahead of the new season.

"It hurts us, as far as that's a guy that we know that can come off the bench and provide instant offense for us. Obviously we're going to have to look elsewhere for that, it hurts us," Scott told reporters.

Young averaged 17.9 points and 1.5 assists per game last season and signed a new four-year deal with the Lakers in the summer.