Lakers' Gasol out at practice, Artest in

The medical news was decidedly mixed Monday for the Lakers.

Pau Gasol couldn't practice because of a mild-to-moderate strained left hamstring, but Ron Artest participated in a full-contact workout for the first time since suffering a concussion Dec.25.

Lamar Odom did not attend practice because of a stomach ailment, but Luke Walton (pinched back nerve) joined his teammates for some but not all of a light workout one day before they face the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.

Gasol was listed as doubtful for tonight; Artest is awaiting medical clearance today; Odom's status is uncertain; and the Lakers expect Walton to be cleared Thursday for his first full-contact practice in about six weeks.

All of which means the league-leading Lakers could be seriously shorthanded while facing the Rockets, a team that handed them one of their six losses in 33 games. The Lakers will have only nine healthy bodies tonight if all four can't play.

Gasol's injury could be the most debilitating. He was forced from Sunday's game in the first quarter of a 35-point victory over the Dallas Mavericks, although Lakers coach Phil Jackson hinted it might not have happened during action.

"It happened before the game in a very unusual way and I'll let Pau explain it to you when you see him," Jackson said cryptically. "You have to ask him. He's got the story. He told me the story. You'll have to get it from him.

"He told the trainer (Gary Vitti) he felt a little bit of a twinge before the game."

Gasol was not available for immediate comment Monday.

He scored six points on 3-for-3 shooting before leaving Sunday's game after only 7 minutes, 12 seconds. He departed Staples Center without speaking to reporters. He walked gingerly from the arena, accompanied by a team official.

Gasol sat out the season's first 11 games after straining his right hamstring during training camp in October. He said the injury might have been brought on by his participation in the European Championships in September with his native Spain.

"I think he's very concerned about (a layoff) happening again," Jackson said.

Artest update

It remains to be seen whether Artest can play tonight. He has missed five games since suffering a concussion after a fall at home. He had four stitches removed from the back of his head and seven taken from his elbow Sunday.

"I felt good in practice," he said. "I can't wait to play. ... I felt a little fatigued because I haven't played (since the Lakers' loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Christmas Day). I feel like I have to get back in shape. ... (But there's) nothing to complain about."

Artest said he didn't feel an added sense of urgency to return to the active roster because of Gasol's injury and Odom's illness.

"I always feel a sense of urgency," he said. "I just want to play hard all the time even when we have our whole lineup."

Of Gasol, he added, "He's got to get healthy. We've got a long season, so he's got to take care of himself. He plays through pain, I've seen him play through pain, so when he says he's hurt, he's really hurt."