Just as I was ready to give you more on Ron Artest courtesy of Sam Amick's recent trip to Los Angeles, this popped up in my inbox:
EL SEGUNDO- Lakers Forward Ron Artest was injured last night at his home when he tripped over a box and fell down a flight of stairs, suffering an injury to his head and left elbow.
Artest received treatment at the emergency room at UCLA Medical Center, where he was released after undergoing a series of tests, including a CT scan. He received stitches to the back of his head and to his elbow.
Artest did not accompany the team to Sacramento this morning and is not expected to play in tonight's game against the Kings. Artest will be examined today in Los Angeles by a neurologist and after that examination, an update will be given with an estimate as to when Artest will be able to rejoin the team.
UPDATE: Artest saw a neuroloigst today and was ruled to have suffered a concussion in his fall last night. He has improved since last night but is definitely out for tonight's game and will be listed as day-to-day.
Not exactly the kind of news the Lakers wanted as they prepared for tonight's game against the Kings. Besides Kobe Bryant, Artest was the only Laker that looked as he realized the team had a game yesterday in what was a blowout loss to Cleveland.
That's one less defender for the Lakers to throw at Tyreke Evans. That leaves Kobe Bryant and Sasha Vujacic if the Lakers elect to use bigger guards on Evans. If not, Evans should be looking to post up Derek Fisher, Jordan Farmer or Shannon Brown.
--Jason Jones
From The Bee
Artest fitting in with Lakers By Sam Amick
Evans primed for first matchup against Lakers By Ailene Voisin
From The Los Angeles Times
Lakers are trashed by Cavaliers, and by angry fans By Mike Bresnahan
Coach Phil Jackson has to hope Lakers are holding something in reserve By Broderick Turner
From The Orange County Register
Lakers look soft and whiny again By Kevin Ding
From The Los Angeles Daily News
Lakers fans give refs their fingers By Elliott Teaford
TONIGHT'S GAME (By Jason Jones)
Kings (13-15) vs. Lakers (23-5)
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Arco Arena.
TV: CSNCA.
Radio: KHTK (1140 AM).
Kings update: Considering how tough the Kings played the Cavs until being shut out in overtime, there might be some who think tonight might be the game in which the Kings notch a signature win. To pull off an upset the Kings need Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson to both play well for the second straight game. If not, the Lakers could dominate up front.
Lakers update: The defending NBA Champions don't specialize in close losses. When they're bad, they are really bad. Their five defeats have been by an average of 14.6 points after losing by 15 to Cleveland yesterday. The Lakers have lost consecutive games just once this season.
Probable starting lineups:
Kings
No. Player Pos.
13 Tyreke Evans G
18 Omri Casspi G
20 Donte' Greene F
34 Jason Thompson F
31 Spencer Hawes C
Lakers
2 Derek Fisher G
24 Kobe Bryant G
37 Ron Artest (Well this could be Lamar Odom, Sasha Vujacic or Bryant if Lakers start three guards. Josh Powell is another option. I guess I can't forget Adam Morrison).
16 Pau Gasol F
17 Andrew Bynum C
