Officials say Gasol could be out up to 3 months (AP) Updated: 2006-09-05 10:25
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Memphis Grizzlies center Pau Gasol could be out up to three
months after sustaining a partial fracture in his left foot in the semifinals of
the world championships in Japan, officials said.
The 7-footer was hurt Friday near the conclusion of Spain's 75-74 semifinal
victory against Argentina.
He underwent X-rays and an MRI exam Saturday at the Kato Orthopedic Clinic in
Saitama, Japan, according to a release from the Spanish Basketball Federation.
Grizzlies officials said they want to see Gasol in Memphis as soon as
possible where he will undergo surgery following an examination by the team's
doctor.
If that diagnosis is the same as Spain's, then officials said Gasol should be
able to recover from the injury and resume playing at a high level.
"It's not an injury that normally ruins a person's career," said Grizzlies
president Jerry West. "It'll be a healing process. We have confidence in his
age, and our doctors say that he'll be able to play and play at a high level
when he comes back."
Grizzlies coach Mike Fratello said it's too soon to determine how the team
would compensate without Gasol during the early part of the season.
"You're losing an all-star player, a guy capable of getting double-doubles
and who was playing very well in the tournament," Fratello said. "It leaves a
tremendous hole at the four and five positions. Obviously, other people have to
be ready to assume more of a responsibility with this."
Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com
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