Six Lakers likely to be out through the All-Star break
The Lakers have seen point guards Steve Nash and Steve Blake return to the lineup from injury, but the team is still short six players.
Guard Jodie Meeks is out with a sprained ankle. Guard Kobe Bryant, swingman Nick Young and forward Xavier Henry all have knee injuries. Forward-center Pau Gasol is out with a strained groin.
The Lakers are also missing point guard Jordan Farmar, who continues to have issues with a sore hamstring.
“He had a little bit of setback,†said Coach Mike D’Antoni after practice on Saturday. “We’re going to err on the side of caution, because we don’t want him out.â€
Farmar has suffered two hamstring tears this season. He returned after over a month off to score 21 points Wednesday against the Cleveland Cavaliers, before sitting out late in the game with leg cramps.
While D’Antoni called Farmar day-to-day, he said he’ll try to rest the point guard through the All-Star break.
“If everybody is healthy, and we can spare him, we will try to,†said D’Antoni.
He also said Meeks will be out for the next three games.
“Because the All-Star break is right around the corner, [the injured players] will take advantage of those days off,†said D’Antoni. “We’ll probably have to go with the guys we’ve got right now.â€
The Lakers play at home this week against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, the Utah Jazz on Tuesday and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. The NBA All-Star game is the following Sunday, Feb. 16, in New Orleans. The Lakers get back to work on Feb. 19 at Staples Center against the Houston Rockets.
Bryant, who was voted to start for the Western Conference, will miss the game as he recovers from a knee fracture.
After signing Shawne Williams to a 10-day contract Thursday, the Lakers have 15 players on the roster -- nine who are healthy.
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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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