Pau Gasol says most likely return is Dec. 22

WASHINGTON -- Pau Gasol apparently knows the NFL injury-report guidelines pretty well.

Using the standard created for pro football players, the Lakers forward declared himself doubtful for Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, questionable for next Tuesday against Charlotte and probable Dec. 22 against Golden State.

In other words, it looks like at least another week before he returns from tendinitis in his knees.

“There’s no definites right now,” he said Friday.

Gasol has not played since Dec. 2, the Lakers going 1-5 in his absence heading into Friday’s game against Washington.

He has started running on a treadmill, a step in the right direction for his return.

“I’m feeling better,” he said. “We don’t want to risk going back to the way it was before. We’re taking it one step at a time so we won’t have any setbacks and I won’t have to be out any longer than I need to.”

Gasol is averaging 12.6 points and shooting only 42%. He has seen the Lakers slide without him, undoubtedly.

“We haven’t obtained the results that I would like and we would like to as a team lately,” Gasol said. “Hopefully it’ll all be better later on.”

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