Archive for the 'Injury News' Category

Injury Update: Kobe’s Finger

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on January 10, 2010
in Injury News and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

Kobe Bryant made just 1-of-14 shots in the first half and 4-of-21 for the game in L.A.’s 95-77 win over Milwaukee, struggling to hit from the field for the fourth consecutive contest (33 percent combined).

The difference in that first half was that Bryant was attempting to play without a splint on his right index finger, on which he suffered an avulsion fracture earlier in the season that he said he aggravated against Sacramento (he also appeared to take a swipe to the finger against Houston on Tuesday evening).

Bryant explained after the contest that playing without the splint afforded him increased range of motion, but made his finger too weak to support his shooting stroke.

“It’s just not strong enough,” he said of the finger, which will of course not keep him out of any game action.

Phil Jackson blamed Bryant’s finger almost exclusively for his shooting struggles:

He has been fiddling around with his “prosthetic” for his broken finger. He went from hard to semi-hard protective plate that was in there and made from lead that was conformed to nothing at all now. It is noticeable in his shooting and he knows it so I think he is going to go back to what worked before.

In short, the splint will go back on until Bryant feels strong enough to shoot without it.

Pau Gasol Pre-Bucks Injury Update

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on January 10, 2010
in Injury News and Pau Gasol
. Closed

Pau GasolBefore missing his fourth consecutive game due to a left hamstring strain, Pau Gasol told reporters that he felt some discomfort after running on a treadmill the previous day.

“There was soreness after a while,” he said.

Gasol, however, will try the treadmill once again prior to L.A.’s Sunday tipoff against Milwaukee, and said that he hopes to practice with the team on Monday.

Afterwards, he will accompany the team on its two-day trip through Texas, including a Tuesday game in San Antonio and Wednesday contest in Dallas. Whether or not he’ll play will continue to be determined on a day-by-day basis.

“I’m very hopeful that I’ll be able to play and be with the team soon,” he said, “How soon? I’m not sure, can’t really tell.”

Gasol’s Injury Less Severe Than Prior Strain

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on January 5, 2010
in Injury News and Pau Gasol
. Closed

Phil Jackson said before Tuesday evening’s game that Pau Gasol’s hamstring injury was “less severe” than Gasol’s previous right hamstring strain that kept him out of the season’s first 11 games.

The strain is classified as “mild to moderate,” as reported yesterday.

“There is an insignificant amount of (a) tear, but it’s still something that we want to prevent from becoming anything greater,” said Jackson. “We’re hoping it’s game-to-game, though I highly doubt he’ll be ready for (Wednesday’s game).”

In short, Gasol will miss Tuesday’s contest against Houston and, as Jackson said, more than likely Wednesday’s against the Clippers. He will be re-evaluated prior to the team’s Friday evening game in Portland.

Particularly as the Lakers have Ron Artest (concussion) back in the front court after a five-game absence, Jackson implied that the team has the luxury of proceeding with caution in regard to its Spaniard.

“With Pau, the idea is that we can cover (for him) with Andrew (Bynum), Lamar (Odom) and Josh (Powell),” Jackson concluded. “We don’t want anything to happen that is extenuating; that’s why we have the depth we have on this team. We have some margin for error right now.”

Artest, Odom Expected to Play vs. Rockets

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on January 5, 2010
in Injury News, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest
. Closed

We learned quite a bit after Monday’s practice on the Lakers’ injury front, which kept Lamar Odom (gastrointestinal discomfort) and Pau Gasol (left hamstring strain) out of the building but saw Ron Artest (concussion) return to the fold.

Here’s the update after Lakers shootaround on Tuesday as it relates to L.A.’s game against Houston tonight: Odom participated in shootaround and will play; Artest is expected to play; Gasol will not play.

Artest saw his neurologist on Tuesday morning and was cleared to play, though the pair will reunite prior to the game to make sure everything is go for launch.

Luke Walton Set To Practice on Thursday

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on January 4, 2010
in Injury News and Luke Walton
. Closed

Luke WaltonLakers forward Luke Walton resumed basketball activities during Monday’s practice, and expects to go through a full practice on Thursday following the team’s back-to-back games against Houston and the Clippers.

Walton, who aggravated his back during L.A.’s Nov. 13 game in Denver, said that he has been feeling better on a daily basis, today managing to go through shooting drills, a game of 3-on-3 and the like with his teammates.

“It felt great,” he said of his back. “The worst part was the conditioning. My legs, (after) not playing for five or six weeks or (however) long it’s been.”

After a calming down period, Walton has been working extensively with L.A.’s training staff* throughout the last few weeks, focusing primarily on strengthening his core muscles.
*Pictured above with Lakers Athletic Performance Coordinator Alex McKechnie.

“It’s huge because those are all the muscles that protect you from injuries you have in your back,” he said. “We (have done) a lot more core strengthening work and we feel now that we’re at a place where it’s strong enough to play NBA-style games.”

Walton had aggravated his back in a similar fashion this preseason, admitting that he may have come back too quickly (a week and a half, instead of the suggested six weeks) to the point where he re-injured himself. He actually began to feel much better weeks ago, as with the initial injury, but he and the team have been much more conservative this time (24 games and counting) as he built up strength that is hoped to sustain him throughout the season.

In the meantime, it’s been a struggle for the ever-competitive Walton to sit on the sideline and watch, (even from the broadcast booth). He explained that while he observes, he’ll occasionally offer pointers to teammates while constantly evaluating where he may be able to help.

“Knowing the offense, knowing that we haven’t really been moving the ball, releasing pressure and the other little things that makes this offense run,” he said. “I know I can get in there and help the team.”

And in fairness, Walton’s ability to move the basketball is at least one explanation for why L.A.’s bench hasn’t been consistent this season.

In closing, when asked if the recent injury developments with Pau Gasol (strained hamstring) or Ron Artest (concussion) have increased his sense of urgency, Walton shook his head.

He’s been chomping at the bit since Nov. 13.

Pau Gasol Injury Update

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on January 4, 2010
in Injury News and Pau Gasol
. Closed

From L.A.’s PR department:

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, who suffered an injury to his left hamstring in last night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, was examined today by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo.

Results of an ultrasound test and an MRI show that Gasol has a mild-to-moderate strain of the left hamstring. His status for tomorrow’s game against the Houston Rockets is doubtful and he shall be listed as day-to-day beyond that.

Gasol Heads to the Locker Room

Published
by
Ty Nowell
on January 3, 2010
in Injury News and Pau Gasol
. Closed

As Lakers.com’s Mike Trudell reports on his Twitter account.

Pau Gasol has a strained left hamstring and will be re-evaluated at the half to see if he can return. 7:10pm

Gasol missed the first 11 games of the season w/a right hamstring strain (tonight’s being unrelated). More news after half. 7:13pm

Ron Artest Injury Update - Jan. 2

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on January 3, 2010
in Injury News and Ron Artest
. Closed

Prior to Sunday’s game against Dallas, Phil Jackson said that Ron Artest was cleared to practice on Monday, and that the team was hopeful he could play on Tuesday against Houston.

Artest had earlier told reporters that he doubted he’d be ready by Tuesday’s game (while acknowledging that it was a possibility), but when told of Jackson’s statement, had this to say: “Whatever they tell me to play, I’ll go.”

Artest went on to explain that he’s certainly feeling better, and that while he’s not completely “comfortable,” he is happy to play when he’s not 100 percent.

“Five days ago it was pretty bad, but Monday will be 10 days, so basically I’m on schedule,” he said. “I’m feeling pretty good now.”

Artest went through the team’s entire shootaround session on Sunday morning, including shooting and running drills, and (as Jackson said) is expected to practice fully with contact on Monday.

He’ll then be evaluated once again, and a decision will be made as to his availability for Tuesday.

Ron Artest Injury Update

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 30, 2009
in Injury News and Ron Artest
. Closed

On Wednesday afternoon at L.A.’s practice facility, Ron Artest did around 10 minutes of walking on a treadmill, but is still experiencing dizziness and has not yet been cleared by the neurologist with whom he meets each day.

L.A.’s starting small forward addressed reporters for the first time on Tuesday evening to go over what details he remembered of his Christmas day fall that caused a concussion and mandated stitches to his head and elbow.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO.

Kobe Bryant, who was the first person Artest thought to contact (via text message) after his fall, had this to say Tuesday’s game: “He’s a warrior like I am, he plays through everything, so for him to be out it has to really be bothering him.”

Artest is still listed as “day-to-day,” and will continue to meet with the neurologist until he is cleared to play.

Bryant’s Elbow is “Fine”

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 27, 2009
in Injury News and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

Kobe BryantPhil Jackson offered an anecdote from Saturday night’s 112-103 double overtime victory in Sacramento that explained how Kobe Bryant feels about coming out of basketball games, no matter what the injury.

“At one time, I asked (Head Athletic Trainer) Gary Vitti to check with him in a time out,” said Jackson. “He came back and said, ‘If I tell you that he can’t play, he’s going to break my arm.’”

Bryant, who had essentially been playing with his left hand before nailing back-to-back three-pointers in the second overtime, eventually figured out how to adjust his shot to the pain.

“I thought he could play through it and help the team, and that was the important part,” said Jackson. “Pain is an inhibitor, and your body will react through the pain. He’s a guy that’s capable of doing that.”

Bryant didn’t go into as much detail.

“The elbow’s fine … next question,” said Bryant before reporters even had a chance to ask. “It’s not like a lingering thing, just a stinger that will go away.”

Kobe concluded that he doesn’t expect the elbow (or his finger, or knee) to inhibit him when the Lakers face the Suns on Monday night in Phoenix.