'Moderate' sprain for Gasol, severe consequences for Lakers

With the margin of error in the West already slimmer than slim, the Lakers will be without a true post presence today against Houston and probably the rest of their trip against other top Western teams.

Gasol was hurt Friday against New Orleans after landing on Vladimir Radmanovic's foot while cutting through the lane early in the first quarter. X-rays during the game were negative, and an MRI exam Saturday at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston revealed a moderate sprain.

After today's game against Houston (45-20), the Lakers play Dallas (43-23) on Tuesday and Utah (44-24) on Thursday before returning home to play Seattle (16-50) on Friday. The Lakers (45-20) are tied with Houston for first in the West.

"Pau's out for sure for the Houston game, most likely out for the rest of the trip, but we don't really want to say that for sure," Lakers spokesman John Black said. "He'll be reevaluated in two or three days. It's not great, but it's not horrible."

Gasol said after the game that he hoped to miss only two weeks after sitting out about that long when he suffered a sprained left ankle in training camp that produced "similar pain, a similar reaction," he said.

Gasol was unavailable for comment Saturday. He was averaging 19.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in 18 games with the Lakers before his 2 1/2 -minute appearance in Friday's game.

Ronny Turiaf, who is listed at 6 feet 10, will start at center as the Lakers temporarily convert their offense to more of a "small-ball" scheme. They have little choice, with three 7-footers now sidelined.

Andrew Bynum is out until at least early April because of a left knee injury that has kept him out since Jan. 13. Chris Mihm has not played since Dec. 23, although he has not felt any pain since having a screw removed from his surgically repaired right ankle last month. Mihm might begin practicing with the team shortly after it returns from its four-game trip.

The Lakers moved forward with a brief practice Saturday, though Coach Phil Jackson found time to needle the Rockets, who have won 21 consecutive games, the second-longest winning streak in NBA history.