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Luke Walton underwent a facet rhizotomy - a procedure designed to shut off pain signals that nerves send to the brain through a needle injection into the back - on Thursday morning performed by Dr. Michael Port.
The procedure does not change the timing of Walton’s recovery, as the Lakers forward is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks. According to team sources, Walton is in a considerable amount of discomfort and will be away from the team for a few days while recovering.
Before the third quarter of L.A.’s win over Detroit on Tuesday, Lakers forward Luke Walton talked to beat reporters about his sore lower back, which is expected to keep him out of action for at least six weeks.
On how it happened:
Walton: It was similar to what happened in the preseason, and I came back and it was feeling great. Then I felt a little bit of stiffness in the back, and it got worse and worse every day. There was a little pinch sensation in that back area, which I guess is a pinched nerve, and they said to pretty much shut it down and get all the swelling out of there. Hopefully this time will be the end of it when I come back.
On if he’ll be back by the first of the year:
Walton: I want to be back as soon as possible. Last time they wanted me out longer, but as soon as the back started feeling good I was begging them to let me start playing again, and they did. Obviously that was a mistake, I guess I wasn’t ready yet. But it’s frustrating to have to sit here and watch all the games; I was feeling good out on the court and having fun, but once the back goes it makes it really hard to play at this level when you can’t really move, cut and play defense the way you would like to. I’m going to let them tell me when to play this time, because last time I think I rushed it a little too quickly.
On when he first hurt it:
Walton: If I had a schedule in front of me I could tell you … but it was probably about a week that it’s been pretty bad.
On if he can do rehab:
Walton: Right now we’ve shut it down to where I’m not doing anything, until I can take the anti-inflammatories, work with (L.A.’s training staff), get the swelling down and depending on how bad it is get an injection or something like that. And then once it’s feeling better, do a couple hours of rehab every day on getting everything else strong so that when I come back, hopefully it will be ready to handle what it takes to play an NBA season.
On how long before he can resume rehabilitation exercises:
Walton: It all depends on once the low back feels better, once the muscles aren’t grabbing me every time. I can’t bend over and tie my shoe right now, that’s how tight the muscles are in the back. So once that all starts feeling better, everything’s calmed down, then we’re going to hit the rehab extremely hard.
Lakers forward Luke Walton, who did not play in last night’s game against the Rockets, was today was diagnosed with a pinched nerve and is expected to miss a minimum of six weeks.
Here’s the release from the Lakers PR staff:
Lakers forward Luke Walton was examined today by back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins and has been diagnosed with a pinched nerve. Walton is expected to be out a minimum of six weeks.
Kobe Bryant left L.A.’s 101-91 Sunday evening loss to Houston with 2:12 to play in the fourth quarter due to a strained groin originally suffered in a win over New Orleans on Sunday, Nov. 8. Bryant said he tweaked the groin in the first quarter against the Rockets.
“I’ve felt better,” he said after the game. “It’ll be all right though. You just treat it, try to work through it, practice tomorrow and play through it a little bit, see how it goes.”
Phil Jackson said in his postgame press conference that Bryant had skipped L.A.’s three days of practice leading into Thursday’s loss at Denver, when he made 7-of-17 shots for 19 points in three quarters. Against Houston on Sunday, Bryant again struggled to get his usual lift, making 5-of-20 shots towards 18 points.
While Bryant failed to use his groin to explain his poor shooting (”You know I don’t make excuses”) he did admit that a strained groin can affect “running, changing direction, pretty much everything,” adding that one simply had to find a way to fight through it.
Bryant said he did not plan on missing any action, and will go through treatment on Monday morning.
Walton Sits Out with Back Injury
Lakers forward Luke Walton joined Bryant on the injury report, missing the game against Houston. We’ll have more on Walton after practice tomorrow.
Prior to Sunday’s game against Houston, Phil Jackson said that he was “hopeful” Pau Gasol would resume practicing with the team during L.A.’s coming homestand.
Jackson said that Gasol has gone “five days with no soreness,” including days spent running on the treadmill and the Spaniard’s Sunday morning participation in a small amount of on-court work with the team.
“A little shootaround basketball,” said the Head Coach. “Just a limited amount before he did more with his strength and his rehab stuff. But he did get out on the court.”
After shootaround, Gasol told us that he was feeling well, but could not yet put a date on his possible return.
Neither of the Lakers nicked-up big men were on the court with their teammates as the team practiced Saturday afternoon in preparation for their game against the New Orleans Hornets Sunday night.
On Wednesday, Pau Gasol was cleared to resume on-court activities, and had been working out, but sat out today’s workout after feeling some residual pain in his hamstring according to head coach Phil Jackson.
“Last night (he) felt some residual pain and was concerned about it today, so he hasn’t been out on the court with us today,” said Jackson.
Andrew Bynum continued to receive therapy on his sprained right elbow.
As for either of them playing on Sunday, “Doesn’t look good right now but it’ll still be a game time decision,” said Jackson.
Both are officially being listed as doubtful.
After Sunday the Lakers enjoy a rare three day break before returning to action next Thursday against Phoenix. “I can’t see any reason why this should be that extended that it would go on past that time,” offered the head coach.
Lakers starting center Andrew Bynum sprained his right elbow on one of the final plays of L.A.’s 103-102 overtime victory in Houston.
Bynum, who finished the game with 17 points, 17 rebounds, a career-high tying five assists and three blocks, will be re-evaluated in the morning.
Good news for Lakers fans on Pau Gasol’s hamstring injury: He’s good to go.
Lakers spokesman John Black confirmed prior to L.A.’s Wednesday night contest in Houston that Gasol’s doctors in Spain agreed with the diagnosis of L.A.’s doctors and team athletic trainer Gary Vitti that the injury is healed.
Gasol has been cleared to resume basketball activities, which he commenced by running, jumping and shooting prior to the Rockets game. The All-Star forward is also expected to practice on Thursday, and if there’s no set back, he is cleared to play in games as soon as Phil Jackson thinks Gasol is ready to conditioning wise.
Phil Jackson said after Saturday’s practice that Pau Gasol would not play on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.
It’s the third straight regular season game missed by the Spaniard, who strained his hamstring in the preseason.
After Thursday’s practice in El Segundo, we learned that Pau Gasol would miss his second consecutive game when the Mavericks come to town for a 7:30 PM tip at STAPLES Center.
Phil Jackson, however, remains unconcerned with Gasol’s hamstring strain and said that the team is simply being overly cautious to ensure that the Spanish big man is entirely comfortable when he returns.
“We’re not worried about it,” he said. “We’re just taking it real slow. Don’t you worry about it.”
Jackson also suggested that Gasol might be able to play in Sunday’s game against Atlanta.
But until Gasol plays, the very capable Lamar Odom (16 points and 13 rebounds in L.A.’s opening win) will slide into Pau’s spot in the rotation, and against Dallas be charged with defending Dirk Nowitzki, which Gasol did very well last season. Jackson added that having Ron Artest – who can also guard Nowitzki – on the roster makes it easier to be cautious with Gasol, since Artest is so versatile at both ends of the floor.
FROM LAKERS.com
