Lakers' Bynum doubtful for Friday's game, Gasol does some work at practice

Lakers center Andrew Bynum is doubtful for Friday's game against Memphis after an MRI exam today showed a strained right elbow.

Bynum was injured when he was fouled across the arm by center Chuck Hayes in overtime of the Lakers' 103-102 victory Wednesday against Houston.

Bynum said he was relieved that the injury wasn't "too serious." He had better range of motion this afternoon after being unable to use his right arm while getting dressed after Wednesday night's game.

He said he wasn't sure if he would play Sunday against New Orleans.

Pau Gasol, who has missed five games because of a strained right hamstring, did some practice work with the team this afternoon, though he said he was "very doubtful" for Friday's game.

Gasol did not take part in any contact drills today, nor did he take part in a scrimmage for the second half of practice. He did some walk-through work on offense and shot by himself

If Bynum and Gasol cannot play Friday, DJ Mbenga would probably get the start at center against rugged Grizzlies center Marc Gasol. Going with a small lineup, and Lamar Odom at center, is also a possibility.

-- Mike Bresnahan

Photo: Andrew Bynum, center, dunks during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Credit: Christine Cotter / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Vince]

Bynum should play with a FRAGILE sticker pasted on his forehead, he always getting hurt. He needs to pull a Kobe and play through the pain. Same with Pau.

[dEDGE]

With both Bynum and most likely again, Gasol, out for Friday's game against the Grizz, the Bench Mob will really have to step up. They've been AWOL since the parade to the Coliseum...

[Randy Hoover]

OH NO!!.. looks like we may have another loss. and GASOLS ham string is still hurting? man. Well atleast its early in the season. kiss 70 games goodbye though..

[radmon]

At least the Grizzlies curse won't strike Bynum this time

[PK9]

Phase I of the "avoid playing Memphis at all costs" plan is underway.

[wildone]

kinda wanna agree with Vince, Bynum should play through it.

[Tom]

Bynum is a injury waiting to happen.This guy cannot be depended to sustain through the season.What a brittle bone and a disaster waiting to happen.Hope Pau recovers and stays healthy or no title for Lakers.

[tomK]

You guys are pathetic, He got hammered across the elbow, so he misses a game, so what, he's putting up 20 and 10, shut the heck up, Gasol will be back in a few games, were 4 and 1 WITHOUT GASOL, We can beat the Grizzlies with DJ at center, just PLEASE NO OVERTIME.

[Nemaia Faletogo]

Tom and Vince,

Get real with you posts. Did you see the way Chuck Hayes raked Bynum's arms last night while Bynum was fully extended to dunk it?!!! I guarantee if I swiped at your arm while fully extended, I would break it. Especially because I'm a rock solid 220lb samoan with big bones. Watch the play again and you'll see how hard Hayes swung at
Bynum's arms and you'll see why he has a sprained elbow. In fact, Hayes didn't even appear to be going for the block and probably intended to hurt Andrew.

Sometimes I wonder what game some of you are watching when you make your dumb comments.

[Vonislav Waferdenko]

A serious question to y'all. If Bynum keeps getting hurt with every heavy contact, would you rather have someone with much less spectacular potential, but much more reliability to play 70+ games?

I'm thinking of big men like Okafor. The Lakers would never make the trade, but we wouldn't be missing a center every few games

[Bill]

Re: last night's game, did someone nail Bynum's feet to the floor? Houston drove to the basket with no fear of their shots being blocked. His mobility was abysmal and Houston sure seemed to know it.

[Home of the Troy]

Totally concur with Nemaia Faletogo, you big talkers with loser lives are just showing your hating ignorance when you post. Congratulations.

[kwpfunk1955]

I hope Andrew don't be one of those guys that have unlimited potential but always have these nagging injuries that keep popping up. I was hoping this would be his break out year. At least this injury isn't serious, therefore he shouldn't miss many games.

P.FUNK - OUT!

[kwpfunk1955]

YES! Hayes swipe across the arm was an attempt to injure Bynum. He wasn't going after the block. Like my man stipulated if "U" or I was smacked like that we'de have a broken arm. There was nothing petty about that foul, it should've been a flagrant. Andrew was fully extended when Hayes belted him.
I agree again when some of "U" make your "POST & REPLIES" Think before "U" pass judgement about what actually take or took place. Bynum was "BASHED" , look at it again. He'll be OK, probaly won't miss much time. Support the guy instead of finding negatives too complain about.

P.FUNK - OUT!