Pau Gasol out at least a week with strained right groin

Lakers center-forward Pau Gasol will sit out at least a week after an MRI exam Saturday revealed a strained right groin.

Gasol had some minor discomfort in his groin during the Lakers’ seven-game trip but really struggled with it Tuesday in the Lakers’ 104-92 loss to the Indiana Pacers.

Although he was able to play through it again Friday, Gasol said he aggravated the injury during a 110-100 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats.

According to a team release, Gasol will be reevaluated next weekend after the team’s three-game trip to Minnesota, Cleveland and Philadelphia.

The earliest Gasol would return is Feb. 9 at Staples Center against the Chicago Bulls, but that may be a bit optimistic.

Through 44 games, Gasol has averaged 17.0 points and 10.2 rebounds. The Lakers have been decimated by injuries all season and have dropped to 14th place in the Western Conference with a 16-31 record.

Chris Kaman, who presumably will see an uptick in minutes with Gasol out, was cleared to play on a sore right knee after an MRI test.

Kaman has played in only 23 games this season, typically left out of Coach Mike D’Antoni’s rotation. As a Laker, Kaman has averaged 8.1 points and 5.4 rebounds.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.