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Gasol's status uncertain as Lakers face Wizards

Feb 3, 2008 - 2:25 PM LA Lakers (29-16) at Washington (24-21) 12:00 pm EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) - The Los Angeles Lakers may have to wait to welcome their newest member when they visit the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

It is uncertain whether Pau Gasol, who was acquired in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, will join the team Sunday.

The 27-year-old 7-footer was scheduled to undergo a physical in Los Angeles on Saturday - leaving his return in time for the game's early start up in the air.

"I would love to have him Sunday but he has to fly to L.A. for a physical," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after Friday's trade became official.

Gasol, the Grizzlies second-leading scorer and top rebounder, was acquired by the Lakers for center Kwame Brown, rookie guard Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010.

Memphis also received the draft rights to Marc Gasol, Pau's younger brother, while Los Angeles got back a second-round pick in 2010.

The Lakers opened a season-high eight-game road trip with a 121-101 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Kobe Bryant scored 46 points for Los Angeles, which secured just its second win in its last six games.

The Lakers were once again without center Andrew Bynum, who will miss at least the next month - and possibly the rest of the season - after suffering a subluxation of the patella and a bone bruise of his left knee in early January.

However, Gasol should help fill the void left by Bynum.

The Wizards have dropped two straight, including a 96-87 setback to the Utah Jazz on Friday. All-Star Caron Butler missed his third straight game with a hip injury.