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Pau Gasol falls to the floor after he is smacked in the nose by the Nuggets' JaVale McGee late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' loss to Denver, 112-105. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times / January 6, 2013) |
The Lakers announced that Pau Gasol, who suffered a concussion Sunday in a loss to the Denver Nuggets, was reexamined Tuesday by neurologist Dr. Vern Williams.
Gasol was "not cleared to resume playing basketball," and will miss -- as expected -- the Lakers' visits to the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs on back-to-back nights.
Williams will evaluate Gasol again Thursday, ahead of the Lakers' Friday night game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center.
The NBA has instituted a more rigorous concussion policy to help protect players. Until Gasol reaches his individual neurological baseline, set earlier in the season, he won't be cleared to play.
Recovering from a concussion can take days, weeks or in rare, extreme cases even months.
The Lakers also are without Dwight Howard (torn labrum), Jordan Hill (hip) and Steve Blake (abdominal surgery).
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
