Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters that he does not expect forward/center Pau Gasol to play for the rest of the regular season.
Gasol has been out with a torn plantar fascia in his right foot since the Lakers played at the Brooklyn Nets on Feb. 5. He was originally expected to be out at least six to eight weeks.
“I think by the time he gets back we’ll either be in or out,” D’Antoni said after Sunday’s win over the Dallas Mavericks. “So his impact will be in the playoffs if we can get there.”
The Lakers (28-29) are 2 1/2 games out of the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
Gasol is averaging 13.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 blocks in 36 games.