The Los Angeles Lakers basketball star centre Pau Gasol has been diagnosed with vertigo after leaving an NBA victory over Orlando at half-time due to dizziness and nausea.
The 2.13-metre-tall Spaniard, the Lakers' top scorer and rebounder, has been listed as doubtful by the club for Wednesday's home game against New York but he will be re-examined before the game.
That encounter will mark the first meeting between the Lakers and New York since former Lakers coach Phil Jackson took over as president of basketball operations for the Knicks earlier this month.
The 33-year-old Gasol, a two-time NBA champion with the Lakers and two-time Olympic silver medallist with Spain, had an MRI scan on his head return normal readings today after he spent the night in a hospital.
Gasol is averaging 17.5 points and 9.8 rebounds a game over 59 appearances for the Lakers, who at 23-46 own the second-worst record in the Western Conference and have been eliminated from play-off contention.
