The Los Angeles Lakers played their first game without Pau Gasol since his right foot injury last night, and they got embarrassed on national television against their arch rivals.
Even though Gasol has struggled this season, he played well after taking the starting role with Dwight Howard sidelined due to injury. The Lakers surely missed Gasol’s presence in last night’s game and the front court had trouble controlling the paint.
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After the game, Kobe Bryant spoke to ESPN and he talked about what Gasol’s absence meant to the Lakers in their loss to the Celtics.
“I think, in a way, L.A. is kind of seeing how much we miss Pau and what he brings to the table and his skill set,” Bryant said after the game. “Maybe now they’ll start appreciating him a little more.”
According to reports, Gasol will miss at least six to eight weeks, a major blow to an already banged up Lakers team. Dwight Howard is dealing with a shoulder injury and he is certainly not close to 100 percent. Jordan Hill will miss the remainder of the season, meaning the Lakers’ front court will be extremely depleted moving forward.
With Gasol out of the lineup, the Lakers will have to work even harder to make the post-season. The players will have to fill the void with Gasol sidelined and there definitely has to be an increase sense of urgency.
