Archive for the 'Injury News' Category

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.

Ron Artest Improving

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 27, 2009
in Injury News and Ron Artest
. Closed

Monday, December 28
****Update: Ron Artest continues to improve, but will not join the team in Phoenix for Monday night’s game against the Suns.

Sunday, December 27
The condition of Ron Artest, who suffered a concussion after falling down stairs in his home, has improved.

Artest visited the neurologist office on Sunday, but will need to go once again on Monday before being cleared to play against the Suns.

“We’re hopeful that he’ll play tomorrow,” said Phil Jackson. “But he has to be seen (by doctors) and go through that process.”

Jackson added that he hasn’t spoken to Artest personally, but has been informed that he’s doing “much better now.”

The head coach is also unsure as to whether he will again start Lamar Odom in place of Artest if Ron Ron isn’t able to go.

UPDATE: Artest Suffers Injury At Home

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 26, 2009
in Injury News and Ron Artest
. Closed

From LA’s PR staff:

****UPDATE
2:38 p.m., Saturday Dec. 26:
Ron Artest was examined today in Los Angeles by a neurologist. Diagnosis from his examination showed that Artest did suffer a concussion in last night’s fall. Artest’s condition has improved since last night; however, he will continue to see a neurologist on a daily basis until he is cleared to return. He is definitely out for tonight’s game against the Kings at Sacramento and his status beyond that will be considered day-to-day.

———————–
10:15 a.m., Saturday Dec. 26:
Lakers Forward Ron Artest was injured last night at his home when he tripped over a box and fell down a flight of stairs, suffering an injury to his head and left elbow.

Artest received treatment at the emergency room at UCLA Medical Center, where he was released after undergoing a series of tests, including a CT scan. He received stitches to the back of his head and to his elbow.

Artest did not accompany the team to Sacramento this morning and is not expected to play in tonight’s game against the Kings. Artest will be examined today in Los Angeles by a neurologist and after that examination, an update will be given with an estimate as to when Artest will be able to rejoin the team.

Bryant On Knee: “I’m Fine.”

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 22, 2009
in Injury News and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

Lakers Nation took a collective gasp (!!) when Kobe Bryant appeared to hyperextend his left knee late in Tuesday’s victory over Oklahoma City.

But Bryant, after (in his words) self-checking his MCL and ACL, simply got up, walked it off, and resumed playing the rest of the contest as if nothing had happened.

After the game, No. 24 said that he was “Just fine,” thanks to amazing range of motion in his knee, and that he’d be ready to practice in advance of L.A.’s Christmas Day game against Cleveland.

“Yea, he’s all right,” said Lamar Odom. “If he breaks it or pulls (anything), he’s just going to play anyway. If he has the flu or a cold, it doesn’t matter. He’s already playing with a broken finger. He’s a trooper.”

You can check Lakers.com later for the full Bryant postgame interview.

Bryant Has Stomach Ailment, But Plans to Play

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on December 12, 2009
in Injury News, Kobe Bryant and Pre-Game
. Closed

What would it take for Kobe Bryant NOT to play?

More than an avulsion fracture to his finger. More than “gastroenteritis,” which is a stomach bug of sorts that’s not related to the flu.

Though he arrived late to EnergySolutions Arena and took IV fluids in the locker room, Kobe is expected to start for the Lakers.

In his pregame media session, Phil Jackson called Bryant the best he’s ever seen at playing through injuries and ailments of all kinds, and we’re about to see why yet again.

Walton Undergoes Back Procedure

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on November 19, 2009
in Injury News and Luke Walton
. Closed

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.

CLICK HERE TO READ WALTON’S INITIAL REACTION TO THE INJURY

Luke Walton Injury Interview

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on November 18, 2009
in Injury News and Luke Walton
. Closed

Luke WaltonBefore 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.

Luke Walton Injury Update

Published
by
Ty Nowell
on November 16, 2009
in Injury News and Luke Walton
. Closed

58901338Lakers 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 Injury Update

Published
by
Mike Trudell
on November 15, 2009
in Injury News and Kobe Bryant
. Closed

58926405Kobe 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.