RADMANOVIC INJURES SHOULDER LAKERS FORWARD EXPECTED TO BE OUT 8 WEEKS.

Byline: ROSS SILER

Staff Writer

The Lakers couldn't even make it out of the All-Star break unscathed.

Forward Vladimir Radmanovic suffered a separated right shoulder when he fell on a patch of ice Saturday in Park City, Utah.

Radmanovic, who was starting in place of the injured Luke Walton, is expected to miss approximately eight weeks, a timetable that would cost him more than 25 games and keep him out until the final week of the regular season.

He returned Sunday to Los Angeles, where he was examined by team doctors. Radmanovic underwent an MRI exam and CT scan Monday that confirmed the separated shoulder, the team said.

The timing couldn't be worse for the Lakers, who already were without two injured starters in Walton and Kwame Brown and need a victory Wednesday against Portland to avoid the first six-game losing streak of Phil Jackson's coaching career.

"It seems like we've had at least our fair share (of injuries)," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said. "It's something that all teams go through. Maybe we've had a little bit of an extra dose. But there's nothing you can do about it. It's part of the equation."

The Lakers are hopeful Walton will be able to return from his sprained right ankle in the coming week, with team spokesman John Black saying Walton made "slight progress" this weekend and might try to practice today.

Whether Radmanovic's injury emboldens the Lakers to make a move before Thursday's trading deadline remains to be seen.

"It doesn't really affect a whole lot," Kupchak said. "I think of more concern right now is where we are with Luke, because he was close to returning before the break. With Luke back, I think we're versatile enough to make it through the end of the season."

Kupchak said he wouldn't look to add a forward, but said of the overall picture: "Does it increase the urgency as far as making a deal? I don't know. We have a pretty good idea of what we want to do if we can do it."

For the time being, the Lakers face a decision about starting Brian Cook or Maurice Evans in Radmanovic's place. The injury also derails what already had been a disappointing season for the Lakers' major free-agent acquisition.

Radmanovic, who signed a five-year, $30.2 million contract in July, is averaging just 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting a career-worst 33.9 percent from 3-point range.

He suffered an injury to his shooting hand during the preseason and watched Walton take the starting job originally earmarked for him.

Then in December, Radmanovic was dubbed a "space cadet" by Jackson for his difficulties in learning the triangle offense.

He found himself out of the rotation altogether when Lamar Odom returned after missing 21 games with a sprained knee ligament. But Walton was injured just when the Lakers welcomed back Odom, and Radmanovic went from sitting to starting.

Although he scored in double figures in five consecutive games, Radmanovic's play regressed, and Jackson's patience ran out on the Lakers' eight-game trip. Radmanovic stayed in the starting five, but Jackson opted not to play him in the fourth quarter of games.

All told, the Lakers have lost key players to 119 games with injuries. Center Chris Mihm has not played this season after undergoing ankle surgery, Brown has missed 23 games with a severe ankle sprain and Walton has sat out the past 11 games.

[e-mail]

[phone]

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) Vladimir Radmanovic, who signed a five-year, $30.2 million contract in July, is averaging 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds this season.

Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images