Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum Expected to Miss Tonight’s Game

Both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, who was injured Wednesday (Nov. 4 ) when the Lakers played the Houston Rockets, are expected to sit out tonight’s (Nov. 6 ) game against the Memphis Grizzlies, which means DJ Mbenga may start at center. Bynum’s MRI revealed that he has a strained right elbow, which may render him out of tonight’s game, and Gasol may be out as well, unless his strained right hamstring is feeling sufficiently better by tonight. Mbenga may start, or the Lakers could go with a small lineup–with Lamar Odom in the middle and Josh Powell starting at forward.

Houston center Chuck Hayes fouled Bynum hard across the arm during overtime on Wednesday, and Bynum’s condition was bad after the game, although he told the Los Angeles Times, “It’s nothing too serious. I don’t think I could be myself out there [tonight]. I can raise my hand and all that stuff. It’s just the pain that’s associated with doing it.” During the last two seasons against the Grizzlies, Bynum endured knee injuries, so it is probably best he sits out tonight. Averaging 20 points and 10.6 rebounds this season, Bynum is expected to return for Sunday night’s (Nov. 8 ) game against New Orleans. Gasol might be back on Sunday too, telling the Times, “I definitely won’t be able to be out there [tonight], but we’re not ruling Sunday out.”

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