Football
Associated Press 16y

Lakers forward Luke Walton out with hamstring injury

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Forward Luke Walton missed the Lakers' game at Sacramento on Sunday night with a strained right hamstring, adding another injury woe to Los Angeles' long list.

Walton, who averages 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists as a key depth player for the Lakers, was injured during Los Angeles' home victory over Portland on Wednesday night. He played just five minutes Friday night against Dallas, and he was in street clothes along with center Andrew Bynum when the Lakers faced the Kings.

"I thought it was something that was just going to get better," Walton said. "But the longer it went, the worse it got."

Walton had an MRI exam, which apparently revealed no serious damage. He didn't practice Saturday, but he's hoping to play in the Lakers' game at Portland on Tuesday night.

Bynum also made the trip to Sacramento and Portland with the Lakers, though he won't return until the playoffs from a left knee injury has kept him out of uniform since Jan. 13. Bynum will be with Los Angeles in practice, but won't participate in drills.

"He had to go around and introduce himself," coach Phil Jackson said of Bynum's first road trip in months. "The good thing is he's got some per-diem money now, so we were able to fine him right away."

Pau Gasol was in the Lakers' starting lineup for the third straight game after missing nine games with a sprained left ankle. Derek Fisher also started for Los Angeles with a partially torn tendon in his right foot.

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