Lakers Forward Trevor Ariza used this trip to Utah to get a second opinion on the injured right foot that has kept him off the floor since January 20th.
The prognosis: conflicting.
“There’s a fault line there, I’ll use that term, there’s a small line in that break. There’s been some suggestion that perhaps this is as good as it’s going to heal,” said Phil Jackson. “Perhaps he doesn’t have to be as cautious as was suggested before.”
Jackson went on to stress Ariza’s long term importance to the team.
“This is a territory of the anatomy that you don’t just go in and put a screw in and it heals itself. He’s had a break there once and we’re trying to be real cautious because he’s a young guy.”
Because of the differing opinions the team will likely seek a third opinion before deciding on a course of action.
Ariza originally injured the foot after coming down awkwardly on Derek Fisher’s foot in practice.
Before tonight’s game against the Jazz, Coach Jackson said that injured centered Andrew Bynum saw a specialist today, but the prognosis was essentially the same as it was a few weeks ago.
Bynum has seen slight improvement in his injured knee and will wait another three to four weeks before determining his next course of action.
If there is no improvement, Andrew will likely undergo arthroscopic surgery on the knee.
After battling an illness that limited him to just 13 minutes in Game 1 against the Jazz, Lakers forward Luke Walton is finally returning to health.
“I think he’s starting to look like he’s coming around, he’s starting to look pretty good,” said Coach Jacksom after today’s practice. “He didn’t feel well on Sunday, but he played anyway and I thought he helped us and he didn’t feel that well yesterday and he sat out practice. Today, he was on the floor.”
When asked whether or not he would be on top shape for tomorrow night’s game, Walton said, “I hope so. I practiced today and I was feeling good for a while, but then I kind of hit a wall. But I’m hoping that if I feel better tomorrow, I’ll be able to get back and play some real minutes.
Walton said that while he expects to play, the amount of minutes he’ll spend on the floor will likely be a game-time decision depending on how his body is feeling.
Injured Lakers Center Andrew Bynum will seek another opinion on the left knee that has caused him to sit out since mid-January.
Team spokesman John Black informed the media that Bynum will seek the advice of Dr. Steven Gecha of Princeton, New Jersey.
Bynum was injured mid-way through the January 13th game against the Memphis Grizzlies and has not returned to action since. Andrew has followed a rehab regiment that has allowed him to work on the court, but not to the point that he would be ready to compete at an NBA level.
He recently told the LA Times, “I doubt there’s going to be a comeback this year. I’ve got to get my knee straight. At this point, I’d have to train for a good month just to be able to go out there and play.”
“It’s frustrating because I can do everything but what pertains to basketball — running and jumping, defensive slides.”
Ailing forward/center Ronny Turiaf, who was not even present in the building for Game 2, is ready to go for Saturday’s Game 3 contest.
Turiaf was able to eat and regain some of the strength that he lost while suffering a sore throat that caused him to lose 11 pounds.
“I feel alright. I’m ready to go,” said Turiaf.
Phil Jackson didn’t express the same confidence, but expects Ronny to be on the court today.
“I don’t know if he’ll lead them in cheers coming out of the locker room and going out to the court, but he’ll be able to play he says.”
Ronny Turiaf may have looked “slow and lethargic” on the court today, but according to Coach Jackson, he hopes to have Ronny be active for Game 3. “I thought he got a sweat today and I think he looks better.” Jackson noted. “He says he feels better.”
Turiaf has lost 11 founds due to the illness.
Before tonight’s game against the Nuggets, Coach Jackson said that Ronny Turiaf will not play tonight as he is still not feeling well.
Turiaf will not be present at STAPLES Center tonight with Jackson revealing, “He’s going to be back home, recovering, hopefully getting ready for Friday.”
In his absence, Jackson said that D.J. Mbenga–recently diagnosed with bruised ribs–will likely see playing time tonight, with Chris Mihm another option at center.
After D.J. Mbenga was diagnosed with bruised ribs yesterday after taking a hard fall during practice, Coach Jackson said he was forced to limit his minutes during today’s workout session, but not before he got a good run in.
With Ronny Turiaf still feeling under the weather and noticeably lacking his usual energy, Jackson said he only allowed the forward to break a small sweat before taking him off the floor.
“We hope that he’ll improve,” said Jackson. “He improved from probably yesterday until today.”
After practice broke on Monday a group of eight Lakers held back to play a 4-on-4 game while the other players attended to the assembled media.
Center DJ Mbenga got caught up with some of the other participants and ended up on the floor with a look of agony on his face as teammates and team medical personnel gathered around.
From how DJ was holding his side it looks like something in the rib area, but nothing official has been released.
UPDATE: DJ had a CT scan and was diagnosed with bruised ribs. He is officially being listed as Day-to-Day.
A day after head coach Phil Jackson referred to him as “being diseased”, Lakers forward/center Ronny Turiaf was still feeling under the weather and was sent home from practice ahead of the rest of his teammates.
Phil called the ailment a sore throat and wouldn’t go as far as calling is strep.
Turiaf logged only three minutes in Sunday’s 128-114 win over the Denver Nuggets.
Game two against Denver is set for Wednesday night. “I anticipate him being ok by Wednesday”, said Jackson.
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