Pau Gasol injury: Lakers forward to miss 7th straight game

Los Angeles Lakers big man Pau Gasol will miss his seventh-straight game Friday against the Washington Wizards, according to Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times.

Gasol, who has been sidelined since Dec. 4, is recovering from tendinitis in his knee. Now at 9-14, the Lakers are 1-5 in Gasol's absence including a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers (5-18).

In 17 games this season, Gasol has averaged 12.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for a Lakers team struggling through not only his injury, but a prolonged absence from point guard Steve Nash, and an early-season coaching change. Los Angeles is 4-9 since Mike D'Antoni's debut as Lakers' coach.

Gasol is a career 52% field goal shooter, averaging 18.5 points and 9.2 rebounds over 11 seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Lakers.

In addition to playing the Wizards tonight, the Lakers finish their four-game road trip on Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers.