Gasol’s Return Delayed

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under Main

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Pau Gasol

The Los Angeles obviously want as many healthy bodies available to them as possible come playoff time, which incidentally is just around the corner.? Forward/center Pau Gasol, who has been sidelined with a sprained left ankle, appears to be set for a return to the court next week, as opposed to tonight after he tested his ankle at the Lakers’ practice facility Saturday.

According to Gasol, as told to Curtis Zupke of the Orange County Register, “It’s still pretty sore.? I don’t know.? It’s still doubtful.? We’ll see how it feels tomorrow.? Hopefully it will get better tomorrow.? If not, maybe take a couple of days in between and go for Wednesday.”? Gasol will test the ankle again today before the Lakers play the Washington Wizards this evening; their next game after that is against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Gasol sprained his ankle on March 14 against the New Orleans Hornets; the Lakers have gone 3-5 without him in their lineup, and as a result, have been quite vulnerable in the middle.? Ankle injuries can be problematic, yet Gasol’s return to the court ASAP is imperative as playoff positioning is especially important right now for the team.?

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