Memphis' Gasol may be out up to three months with fracture
Sep. 4, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
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 FIBA World Championship 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."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/9638587
OT: Memphis' Gasol may be out up to three months with fracture
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