Lakers forward Pau Gasol to return to action Thursday

Lakers forward Pau Gasol said he is going to play against the Heat tomorrow night. (NBA/Getty Images) Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol said he will play

Lakers forward Pau Gasol said he is going to play against the Heat tomorrow night. (NBA/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol said he will play tomorrow for the team's home game against the Miami Heat,  reports ESPN.com.

Gasol missed the past five games because of the effects from a concussion he suffered in a Jan. 6 loss against the Denver Nuggets. Gasol might come off the bench even though Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said Gasol would start when he returned. Earl Clark has started the past three games in Gasol's absence.

Gasol is averaging 12.2 points and 8.4 rebounds a game for the Lakers, who are 17-21 and third in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference.

"I feel better and tomorrow I'll be a go," Gasol said. "I guess I have to ease my way back into it because this is the first day I've actually got some good work done on the court. After a week and a half of inactivity, your body needs a certain amount of time to get back out there and perform at your best."