Waiting goes on for Gasol

Another day and it might be another game for Pau Gasol.

Tuesday, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson ruled Gasol and his moderately sprained left ankle out at least until Sunday’s game against the Washington Wizards.

Wednesday, Gasol said the ankle was a little aggravated, enough so that he might not be healthy enough for that game.

“I haven’t really tried to do anything,” Gasol said. “The days that we tried to do stuff, we took a step back and it got aggravated.

“So, right now I haven’t even tried to run a treadmill or anything. I’m just doing very basic stuff and trying to calm the pain down and try to calm the swelling down and that’s about it.”

Gasol and Jackson said a more realistic return date is next Wednesday when the Lakers play host to the Portland Trail Blazers.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s not until next Wednesday that he plays again,” Jackson said. “We are hopeful for maybe Sunday, but we’ll let time take its course.”

The Lakers will have two off days before playing Portland, time for Gasol to work himself back into playing condition.

Gasol has performed light court work and shooting drills with the Lakers going 4-4 since he sustained the injury in a loss to the New Orleans Hornets.

“It was a pretty bad sprain,” Gasol said. “I thought in 10 days, I’d be fine. It was a little rougher. My ankle suffered more than I thought it did. I’m just trying to heal it up and get it right.

“I don’t want to take any time if I don’t need to. I want to be out there playing and have fun. That’s how I enjoy myself. And I want to be with my team. That’s the bottom line. As soon as I can be out there, the better for me.”

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Sasha Vujacic is fitting in comfortably in the Lakers rotation and can be a restricted free agent at season’s end.

Is a new contract the source of the improved play?

Not necessarily, according to Jackson.

“Without a doubt, he’s aware of it and he’s having a really good season at the end of his contract,” Jackson said. “There’s no doubt about that either.

“I hate that to be the motivating factor for players, but sometimes it just seems that way.

“With Sasha, it’s maturity more than anything else. Getting comfortable with the game and playing the game the way it has to be played.”

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Kobe Bryant’s jerseys -- No. 8 and No. 24 together -- were the second-most popular the last decade, according to figures released Wednesday by the NBA Store in New York.

Michael Jordan’s topped the list, with Allen Iverson’s, LeBron James’ and Shaquille O’Neal’s rounding out the top five.

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jonathan.abrams@latimes.com