Lakers' Gasol plans to play Wednesday

Apr 2, 2008 - 3:45 PM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday when the team hosts the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 7-foot Gasol has missed the last nine games due to a sprained left ankle but practiced with the team Tuesday and sounded optimistic about his status.

Though he said he had some soreness in the ankle after practice, Gasol told the Los Angles Times on Tuesday that he he will "be out there" against the Blazers as long as nothing "crazy happens."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson told the Times that Gasol will start if he plays Wednesday, although he will be monitored closely.

"He'll probably have swelling for the next six weeks," Jackson said. "Anybody who's had a severely sprained ankle knows that it just goes on and on. Eventually it subsides, but it's still going to be an issue for a while."

Gasol, who was acquired by the Lakers in a blockbuster deal with Memphis on February 1, has not played since injuring the ankle against the New Orleans Hornets on March 14.

The Lakers went 15-4 with Gasol in the lineup but are just 5-4 in his absence and have slipped a bit in the Western Conference standings.

Los Angeles (50-24) enters Wednesday 1 1/2 games behind both New Orleans (51-22) and San Antonio (52-23) - a pair of clubs separated by mere percentage points atop the conference standings.

Gasol, 27, has averaged 18.9 points and 8.5 rebounds in 58 games with the Lakers and Grizzlies this season.

More help could be on the way for the Lakers - injured center Andrew Bynum, who Gasol was brought in to replace, has been working out and could rejoin the team shortly before the playoffs, according to the Times.

Also a 7-footer, Bynum has not played since suffering a knee injury in a win over Memphis on January 13.