This isn’t much different than the original estimate, but the Lakers have now made it somewhat official.
The team’s official release, in its entirety:
“Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Pau Gasol, who injured his right foot in Tuesday’s game against the Nets in Brooklyn, returned to Los Angeles from Boston this morning where he was examined by foot specialist Dr. Kenneth Jung.
“Jung’s diagnosis confirmed that Gasol has a tear of the plantar fascia in his right foot. Gasol is expected to be out a minimum of 6-8 weeks.”
The operative word there, of course, is “minimum.”
Eight weeks from today puts us at April 4, at which point the Lakers would have just seven games remaining in the regular season.
Many believe that the multiple injuries sustained by L.A. since the very beginning, ones that have legitimately impacted the team’s ability to have a chance to come together, will have contributed to the Lakers being so far out of contention by then that Gasol’s return won’t be necessary.
It’ll be up to the rest of the team, featuring most prominently an injured Dwight Howard, to give Gasol a reason to even bother getting ready to return this season.