Looks like Kobe Bryant may force Dwight Howard to suck it up and suit up for the Lakers despite his injury after it was revealed that Pau Gasol is likely out for anywhere between 4-6 weeks with a torn plantar fascia of his right foot. Some reports indicate that he may be out of action for up to 8 weeks as well in a worst-case scenario. Gasol mentioned last night after the game in Brooklyn that he feared the worst, and an MRI exam today confirmed the tear.

From ESPN.com:

The Lakers are not sure whether Gasol will need to have surgery yet, sources told ESPNLosAngeles.com.

"The result of the MRI shows I have a torn fascia of my right foot," Gasol tweeted. "Tomorrow I'll fly back to LA to see our team doctors. #AlwaysPositive"

Gasol also tweeted that's he's "hoping to recover asap so I can be back with the team and keep fighting until the end of the season. #GoLakers #AlwaysPositive"

The Lakers were granted a disabled player's exception for Jordan Hill  last week after the backup center went out with season-ending hip surgery. The exception will allow the Lakers to spend a little more than half of Hill's salary, about $1.78 million, in order to sign a free agent or to absorb a player's contract acquired in a trade.

Despite Gasol's foot injury, the Lakers are not dead set on using the exception, a team source told ESPNLosAngeles.com, and are hopeful the situation will prompt Dwight Howard to return and play through his sore right shoulder "sooner than later."

Image via: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports