LOS ANGELES (AP) -Lakers coach Phil Jackson will skip Friday night’s game at Portland because of pain and swelling in his lower right leg.
Jackson was on the sideline Thursday night against Denver, but will stay behind when the team flies to Portland after the game.
“The problem is late-night flights. This is the best policy right now,” Jackson said. “I had a couple difficult days and I made the decision at that time to maybe take a little break and an end of the year type thing would be good. Get through the season, get after it.”
The pain and swelling in Jackson’s leg is caused by plantar fasciitis.
Assistant coach Kurt Rambis will replace the 63-year-old Hall of Famer on Friday. Jackson will rejoin the team for practice Saturday and isn’t expected to miss any more games.
Jackson missed the team’s first preseason game against Utah on Oct. 7 in Anaheim because of soreness and swelling in his lower legs.
He has undergone two hip replacement operations since October 2006.
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