Laker News: Gasol Out At Least Six Weeks, According To Sources

A season of setbacks and turmoil has plagued the Los Angeles Lakers' 2012-2013 season, and on Wednesday the 16-time NBA Champions were dealt yet another blow.

Pau Gasol is expected to miss at least six weeks with a partial tear of his plantar fascia, sources told Ken Berger of CBSSports.com. The Lakers big man may need surgery, which could sideline him for 10-12 weeks.

Late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' road win over the Brooklyn Nets, Gasol walked off the court on his own power when it appeared his foot was in too much pain after taking an earlier fall.

"I had fasciitis and I had been dealing with it for a couple of months now, but I didn't feel anything like I did tonight," Gasol said, following Tuesday's game.

Gasol has played in 36 of the Lakers' 49 games this year. He is averaging just 13.4 points and eight rebounds per game, but his numbers were expected to decrease with the addition of Dwight Howard.

However, Gasol has shot a career-low 45.3 percent from the field, as he has been used more as a perimeter threat in recent months. Gasol has also come off the bench and averaged less minutes for the Lakers under head coach Mike D'Antoni.

The Lakers are still without Howard, who has been dealing with shoulder problems. Los Angeles also lost power forward Jordan Hill for the remainder of the season with a hip injury.