Los Angeles Lakers lose Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol to injuries – NBA Update
The Los Angeles Lakers have plunged into a new hole of late. After showing signs of resurrection, they have again been embroiled in a skid that has seen them lose the last three games. What’s worse is that they would have to get
out of that quagmire without the services of big men Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol.
Howard is out with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, which he suffered in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers last Friday when he got entangled with small forward Caron Butler. Although cautious, Dwight believes that the
injury is not serious enough.
"It shouldn't keep me out for awhile, but to make sure that I'm cautious, to make sure that I'm healthy that's the most important thing,"
"It depends on how fast it will heal up,"
When asked about the prospect of surgery, Howard seemed confident that it would not be the case, asserting that he had suffered these sort of injuries in the past.
"No surgery," Howard said. "No surgery. It's something that takes a little time to heal. ... I don't need surgery. At all."
What he wants to make sure before getting back, is that he is a 100 percent.
"The biggest thing right now is I have to make sure that I'm 100 percent," Howard said. "I don't want to play with my shoulder weak and have a chance for more injuries, so I got to let it heal up."
Howard has been a bit slow this season as he has not fully recovered from his back surgery, which he underwent last off season. His numbers have been alright, but the performances have not been that consistent, especially when
games have been stacked in short stretches. This layoff might actually help the centre to take some rest.
Pau Gasol on the other hand is out indefinitely with a concussion. He is reportedly fit enough to play but will have to wait out for some time in accordance to the league policies. In the absence of the duo, the Lakers would have
to rely on Antawn Jamison and Jordan Hill to carry the front court. And it would significantly increase the work load on Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash.
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