Daily News: Pau Gasol will play tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers unless “something crazy happens overnight.”
He practiced “fully, fully, fully” with his teammates Tuesday and reported some tenderness in his sprained left ankle.
“It went better than it has the last couple of days,” the 7-foot center said of his workout. “Took a nice step forward. Right now, I’m a little sore but I’m feeling pretty good. I’m pretty confident. I’m getting better and better.”
Gasol declined to label his fitness.
“What percentage?” he asked, repeating a question. “It’s hard to tell. There’s not (an indicator) that tells me, `Your ankle is at a certain percentage.’ Right now it feels good. It’s still a little sore and tender, but I was able to push through it and be somewhat effective. Hopefully, I’ll feel better and I’ll be even more effective every day.”
Gasol was injured in the Lakers’ loss March 14 against the New Orleans Hornets. The Lakers have a 5-4 record since he was hurt. Actually, it’s 5-5 if you include the loss to New Orleans, when Gasol played only three minutes before was sidelined.
The Lakers (50-24) were in third place in the Western Conference, one game behind New Orleans and San Antonio, going into Tuesday’s games. They have eight regular-season games remaining, including tonight’s home contest against Portland.
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