Lakers F Ron Artest to miss game with head, elbow injuries after tripping, falling at home

Lakers: Artest injured in fall at home

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers forward Ron Artest has injuries to his head and left elbow after falling at his home.

Artest didn’t travel with the Lakers to Saturday’s game at Sacramento after tripping over a box and falling down a flight of stairs at his home on Christmas night, the team said in a news release.

He was treated at UCLA Medical Center, undergoing a CT scan and receiving stitches in the back of his head and his elbow. He’s expected to be examined by a neurologist later Saturday, when the Lakers will be able to estimate when Artest can rejoin the team.

Artest scored 13 points and fouled out while guarding LeBron James in the Lakers’ 102-87 loss to Cleveland earlier Friday. Artest is averaging 12.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in his first season with Los Angeles after signing as a free agent.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson allowed his players to stay home with their families on Christmas night, apparently getting permission from the NBA to fly to Sacramento on Saturday morning.

Lamar Odom is likely to take Artest’s spot in the starting lineup against the Kings. Los Angeles began a stretch with four games in five days on Christmas, culminating in a home game against Golden State on Tuesday.