As Pau Gasol takes the court tonight against the Porland Trail Blazers while nursing plantar fasciitis in his right foot, there’s one former teammate who fully understands the feeling.

Lakers forward Metta World Peace nurse the injury in the 2009-10 season, his first year with the Lakers. He only missed five games that season, but all of that attributed to a concussion the Lakers say happened after he fell down a a flight of stairs in his home. Otherwise, World Peace played significant portions of the season nursing plantar fasciitis in both of his feet.

“It was hard,” World Peace said. “It hurts. You’re limping.”

Gasol said he has nursed the injury “for a while” but decided to get an MRI Thursday after aggravating it in the Lakers’ loss Wednesday to Denver. Still, Gasol believes he can play through it so long as he stays active with his ice and stretching treatment. Gasol has also worn orthotics and extra padding in his shoe to ensure a stronger arc in his right foot.

Although he predicted Gasol “should be okay,” World Peace anticipated challenging moments ahead.

“Every time you run, it stings,” he said. “It’s not a good feeling. When you warm up and after you play, it should be okay. Waking up in the morning is the worst. You can’t even walk. It takes a couple of minutes to get warm.”

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