lakersfan [bessie_smith]

Ron Artest could not play in Saturday's game against the Sacramento Kings because of a concussion suffered after he tumbled down some stairs while carrying boxes at his home Christmas night.

It was not immediately certain how many more games he might miss.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson said he hoped Artest could rejoin the team for today's practice and play in Monday's game against the Suns in Phoenix.

Officially, the Lakers listed Artest as day-to-day.

A neurologist examined Artest on Saturday, and will continue to monitor the small forward's condition daily until he is cleared to return to the active roster.

Artest was treated at the emergency room at UCLA Medical Center hours after Friday's loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center. He received stitches to close wounds on the back of his head and on his left elbow.

A CT scan also was performed, and Artest was sent home for the night.

He did not accompany the team for its chartered flight Saturday morning to Sacramento. The Lakers will travel this morning to Phoenix, where they are scheduled to practice.

Jackson said he did not speak to Artest.

"I think he'll be in Phoenix," Jackson said. "I'm not sure, but I'm anticipating his desire to be there in Phoenix. Obviously, there's some secondary tests that were done (Saturday) after some initial testing was done (Friday) night.

"They'll probably have another one Monday or even (today)"

Asked for his interpretation of what happened, Jackson smiled.

"Let's see, my interpretation is that an accident happened and he fell down and it was something where he ended up in the hospital and he came out of it with some stitches and he's recovering," Jackson said before Saturday's game.

When a reporter said, "That's what the press release said. We want to know what really happened," Jackson responded, "I can't add anything to it."

Jackson declined to name Artest's replacement. It turned out to be Lamar Odom, who started for the first time alongside Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol, giving the Lakers a mammoth front line of the 6-foot-10 Odom and 7-footers Bynum and Gasol.

"What I told them this afternoon when we had our shootaround was that he brings a certain physical presence and we'll miss that part of his game," Jackson said he told the Lakers about playing without Artest for the first time this season.

"I spoke to some people involved, but we think he's doing pretty good."

Artest is averaging 12.3 points and 4.8rebounds in 28 games this season, his first with the Lakers since signing a five-year, $34 million contract last summer.

Walton update

Perhaps the most logical replacement for Artest would be Luke Walton, but Walton continues to be sidelined by a pinched nerve in his back.

Walton has made strides in recent weeks, and said he hopes to return to the practice court next week.

"It (stinks)," Walton said of sitting out while the Lakers were shorthanded. "It's frustrating. It's long. I mean, I walk around the house and feel good, but you've got to feel a lot better than good in this league."

Walton has played only nine games this season.

Sauce
 

nbafans [bessie_smith]

Wizards say Arenas had firearms in locker

Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas stored unloaded firearms in a container in his locker, according to the team, and the NBA is looking into the situation.

The Wizards issued a statement Thursday night saying there was no ammunition in the locked container, and Arenas and the team have notified authorities and the league.

Officer Quintin Peterson, a spokesman for the Washington D.C. police department, said Thursday night there was no report of any active investigation involving Arenas.

The team and the three-time All-Star "are cooperating fully with law enforcement during its review of this matter and will have no further comment at this time," according to the Wizards' statement.

CBSSportsline.com first reported the investigation.

Wizards spokesman Scott Hall wouldn't say when or where Arenas had the firearms in his locker.

The NBA's collective bargaining agreement allows for players to legally possess firearms but prohibits them at league facilities or when traveling on any league-related business.

"We're aware of the situation and are working to gain a full understanding of the facts and relevant legal issues," the NBA said in a release.

Arenas scored 18 points in Washington's 109-97 victory at Milwaukee on Wednesday night. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound Arenas is averaging 22.2 points after being limited to 15 games during the past two seasons following three operations on his left knee over 1 1/2 years.

Arenas, who turns 28 on Jan. 6 and is in the second season of an $111 million, six-year contract, is one of the NBA's most popular players, but the series of injuries has limited his time on the court. Nicknamed Agent Zero, he has a career average of 22.7 points over nine seasons in the NBA.

lakersfan [bessie_smith]

Gasol gets 3-year extension with Lakers