Pau Gasol Has Injury Woes Again

We feel bad for Pau Gasol, we really do. The poor guy just can't seem to catch a break.
The Los Angeles Lakers center/forward missed practice last Monday to have an MRI on his left foot. And as Gasol's luck would have it, the MRI revealed that the 13 year veteran has a moderate strain of the flexor tendon of the big toe of his left foot. 
Gasol suffered the injury a week ago Friday in the Lakers' 123-87 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Earlier in the season he played through an ankle sprain, and recently missed three games with bronchitis and a sinus infection. 
With Gasol a game-time decision, there are just eight healthy players available. Kobe Bryant (knee), Steve Nash (back), Steve Blake (elbow), Jordan Farmar (hamstring), and Xavier Henry (knee) are all out with injuries and day-to-day. During practice on Monday Lakers assistant coach Mark Madsen and video coordinator J. J. Outlaw filled in to give the team enough players for a 5-on-5 game. 
"J. J., we can sign him up for a 10-day [contract]," joked Nick Young. "And Mark, Mark's coming out of retirement."
"Last year, we had some injuries, but the guys were kind of playing with it," Coach Mike D'Antoni said.        "[We] had Kobe last year, playing too many minutes but you had him as a constant all year. We were able to withstand it. This year, the injuries took out some heart of some of the guys. We haven't been able to overcome it yet."
Through 34 games Gasol is averaging 15.6 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 30.8 minutes per game. The Lakers (as of 1/13) are 14-23 and lost the last 10 of 11 games. 
What the future holds for Gasol, we will see, as many fans, reporters, and pundits are calling for the Lakers to drop him. 
References: LA Times and ESPN. 
If you are a basketball player with a foot or ankle problem, call our Rocky Hill or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Jeffrey S. Kahn, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Sports Medicine Podiatrist in CT
Podiatrist in Rocky Hill and Middletown, CT
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