Lakers' Gasol in lineup on Wednesday

Apr 3, 2008 - 3:31 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Lakers center Pau Gasol returned to the lineup on Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 7-foot Gasol had missed the last nine games due to a sprained left ankle but practiced with the team Tuesday.

As planned, Lakers coach Phil Jackson started Gasol but told the Los Angeles Times earlier in the day that he will be closely monitored.

"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 Los Angeles in a blockbuster deal with Memphis on February 1, had not played since injuring the ankle against New Orleans on March 14.

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

Los Angeles (50-24) continues to trail New Orleans (52-22) by two games and idle San Antonio (52-23) by one-half game.

Entering Wednesday, the 27-year-old Gasol is averaging 18.9 points and 8.5 rebounds in 58 games with the Lakers and Grizzlies this season.