How Long Will Sasha Vujacic Be Sidelined?

The severe ankle sprain he suffered last night could keep the Machine out of the first round of the postseason (and possibly longer). Phil Jackson tells the Press-Enterprise that he’s not holding his breath for a a speedy recovery: “The good news for the Lakers is that there are no more regular-season games left for players to get hurt. The bad news is that they couldn’t get through Wednesday’s regular-season finale — a 107-91 loss to the Clippers — without one more injury. This time, it was Sasha Vujacic, who landed on the foot of a Clippers player after taking a shot in the second quarter and had to be carried off the court. His injury was diagnosed as a ‘severe left ankle sprain.’ An X-ray was negative, but Vujacic is scheduled for an MRI today. ‘That’s a difficult sprain,’ said Lakers coach Phil Jackson. ‘That one’s going to be a while. He could miss the first round, easily.’ Vujacic joins a lengthy list of limping Lakers with the playoffs looming.”