Pau Gasol’s hamstring strain not as bad as his first one

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Good thing my dad’s a doctor and my mom’s a nurse.

It’s time for the daily medical roundup: Pau Gasol is definitely out for tonight’s game against Houston, Lamar Odom is feeling healthy enough to play, and Ron Artest is ‘99% sure’ to be back on the court tonight, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said this afternoon.

The long-term news on Gasol was mildly promising for the Lakers, if there is such a thing for a player who has had two hamstring strains since October. Gasol missed the first 11 games of the season with a strained right hamstring, but isn’t expected to miss as much time with a strained left hamstring.

‘That was probably a 2 Grade [strain] and this is probably a 1,’ Jackson said. ‘That’s good.’

The Lakers aren’t providing a timetable for his return other than to say he’s out tonight.

Artest, however, will almost surely return after missing five games because of a concussion.

‘Ron’s doing fine,’ Jackson said. ‘He’s probably going through a final check like an astronaut right now. We’re 99% sure that it’s going to be [a go] for tonight.’

Odom is also expected to play after missing Monday’s practice because of intestinal flu-like symptoms.

The front court will be the (mildly) resurgent Andrew Bynum, Odom and Artest.

--Mike Bresnahan