One of the major concerns after the win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night was the injury status of Jordan Hill and Pau Gasol. Both players had suffered sprained ankles and had an uncertain playing status with the team set to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night at the Staples Center.
Fortunately for the Los Angeles Lakers, Hill and Gasol will both play against Portland on Sunday according to Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com via Twitter:
Pau Gasol and Jordan Hill both partcipated in shootaround. They’ll play vs. POR. Kobe is still out, but he went through shooting drills
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 1, 2013
This is great news for the Lakers with the team facing one of the best teams in the Western Conference so far this season. Although the Blazers have been disappointing to say the least over the last few years, LaMarcus Aldridge and company have come into their own as of late with an impressive 13-3 record heading into their first meeting with the Lakers this season.
Along with only losing three games thus far this season, the Blazers are currently in second place in the West behind the top seeded San Antonio Spurs (14-3).
With the Lakers starting to get something going with five wins in the last six games, the matchup against the Blazers will be a good test for this team that still trying to build chemistry and stay afloat while awaiting the return of superstar Kobe Bryant.
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