Walton out six weeks

Luke Walton has a pinched nerve in his back that will sideline him for at least six weeks, the Lakers announced tonight. Walton did not play in Sunday's loss to the Houston Rockets and did not practice this afternoon. He was examined by Dr. Robert Watkins. Walton had a sore back that kept him from playing several exhibition games last month. It's not immediately clear whether this injury is related to the previous one.

Expect Adam Morrison to get a few extra minutes while Walton is sidelined. Morrison doesn't have the knowledge of the Lakers' triangle offense that Walton has, but Coach Phil Jackson doesn't have many options at present. Jackson could play Josh Powell more at small forward. But with Pau Gasol out for at least one more game because of a hamstring injury, Jackson needs Powell to serve as Lamar Odom's backup at power forward.