Lakers' Pau Gasol may have small tear in his hamstring

Lakers forward Pau Gasol underwent a sonogram that showed a possible tear in his right hamstring, and he is not expected to play on the team's upcoming two-game road trip, the team said.

Gasol also had a more complex MRI exam today on his hamstring, and those results will be known by Tuesday.

Gasol is traveling with the Lakers for their games in Oklahoma City on Tuesday and in Houston on Wednesday but will not play. "We don’t expect him to play on this trip," Lakers spokesman John Black said.

Gasol, a two-time All-Star, has missed all three of the Lakers' regular season games and their last six exhibition games.  

--Mike Bresnahan

Photo: Pau Gasol at the Lakers' media day in September. Credit: Wally Skalij/ Los Angeles Times.

Comments

[J-Dizzle]

I hate to say but this might be good news in the long run for the Lakers. Granted it's bad news now, but when you think about the last 2 summers and the fact that he hasn't had a break, this is a time that the rest of his body can heal while this injury heals. 82 games plus playoffs is a marathon. We need him for the playoffs more then anything.

[Miguel]

NOOOOOO!!!! Can we start the walton/farmar/morrison for Noscioni (sp?) trade talk.

[NarNar]

NOOOooooo.... Pau get better, you are missed on this team, you are missed by the fans in this city. Your style of play and humble media response has brought another level to class. Hope you get better number 16!

[NarNar]

I agree with J-DIZZLE. Pau should rest. Without number 16, the Lakers will still be able to make play-offs on the shoulders of Kobe, Lamar, Ron, Bynum. It would be nice to have a 70+ season, but at the end of the day it's all about the Finals!

We would need Pau in order to compete with Celtics, Cavs, and Magic... Magic looks sick this year!

[TIM GARCIA]

THE LAKERS NEED PAU BUT WILL BE FINE WITHOUT HIMBUT THE LAKERS SHOULD"NT ALLOW THEIR PLAYERS PLAY DURING THE SUMMER UNLESS IF ITS FOR THE LAKERS BENEFIT.THE LAKERS PAY THEIR SALARY AND SUFFER IF THEY GET HURT.

[Dr.Jeff]

Yes, as I have said last week on this blog, a torn hamstring is the correct diagnisis.

[RIZZO]

GET RIGHT PAU, WE NEED U!!!!!

[Gaucho420]

I guess we'll be missing the BOOM BOOM PAU! for just a bit longer.

[J-Dizzle]

The teams don't really have much of a choice in the matter. Also, Gasol was injured during pre-season, not during the Euro Champs.

[Brian]

I cant wait for Pau to get back. I would love to see a starting line up of bynumn, gasol, walton (for balance and facilitation), Kobie, and fisher, with lamar and ron ron coming off the bench. WOW!!!!

[David]

Yes, Pau was injured during the pre, not during the Euro tour. Unfortunately, injury could be the result of continual build-up of stress. I, too, have a hamstring injury and I can recognize the causing process. Wish him well soon. This would be a good time for Drew to improve his skills with more playing time.

[the dude]

I agree with J-Dizzle, Pau needs to rest

[tomK]

Better that it happened now than at the end of the year going into the playoffs, he gets some much needed rest, and we get to jell as a team with Ron Artest added to the mix. We have more than enough scoring with Kobe, Bynum, Odom and Artest plus the bench, and the extra minutes can be spread around the bench to help them find their games. I see this as not that bad of news at this point in the season.
That's barring any more injuries though

[keifo]

GEE... YA THINK???????????????????

[LakerAnalyst]

Disallow Pau from playing basketball for his national team
from here on out. He's reached his goal for his national
team. First obligation, Lakers! Pau had no rest from the
time the NBA season ended in June to now. I'd like for Pau
to rest during the NBA off season, not the start of the NBA
regular season. His legs need rest, something that hasn't
happened this year. He should rest during the NBA off
season or spent a summer with Kobe and work on definition
and quickness, which I see greater quickness and more
spring in Kobe's game than last year so far.

[Willis]

Ouch! I was really looking forward to seeing Pau establish himself as a top 10 player in this league. Not that he can't come back and get that done, but this is a definite set back. Anyone know the timetable for a slightly torn hammy? It looks like 3-6 weeks according to Phil's interview. We can live with 2-3. Not 5-6.

[TJ]

Pau was also injured during the Eruo-Tour.

Before he was injured in the preseason.

[isang]

take care and god bless, pau!

we will be waiting fro your return!
get well soon.

[rjay]

-I find the Pau hamstring injury a very unsettling development. As I understand it, depending on the possible severity( if 3rd level tear)he could easily need an operation and then take months to heal. Or could be a 2nd level tear and he will be out for 6-8 weeks. Only first level injury would bring him back in weeks.

-Yes, we need him for playoffs, but without him now, Lakers could lose possible homecourt advantage in finals, as Celtics are blazing in the East and will likely have a superb record if they continue. I think they are going to be much tougher this year. But Lakers can beat them if they have full roster, which is contingent on Pau being in the lineup. Without him it will be a much harder grind.

-I agree that it was wrong move for Pau to play off season in Spain, but is spilt milk now. I think he is great classy act and one of the smartest players on the court. Great shooting percentage. He would have reduced Nowitsky's scoring when they played Dallas. Everyone has their bad moments but Pau's hubris; that he could play all year round is now, a proven bad decision. I pray he has speedy recovery so I can enjoy seeing the Lakers complete in full glory. Please be OK, Pau!