NEW ORLEANS, March 14, 2008 (AP) -- Pau Gasol sprained his left ankle and needed help limping off the court in the first quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night.

Gasol was running into the lane looking for a potential offensive rebound when he appeared to step on teammate Vladimir Radmanovic's foot.

Gasol came up lame, favoring his left leg, as the Hornets took the ball the other way, then was helped to the locker room after New Orleans scored and the Lakers called a timeout.

Lakers officials said the 7-foot starting center, who is averaging 19.2 points and 8.6 rebounds this season, would not return to the game.