Lawson on his toe injury: 'Playing the Duke game made it 100 times worse'

By Ryan Craig
Mar 19, 2009

Tags: ACC

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Many have pinned the Tar Heels' hopes of winning a national championship on one big toe of Ty Lawson, and the speedy North Carolina point guard says it might not even be an issue anymore if he hadn't suited up against the Blue Devils.

Looking back on it, Lawson said, "I probably would have sat out that game because I'd probably be 100 percent now. It was getting better and it got 100 times worse after I played Duke."

North Carolina played Duke in the final game of the regular season with the regular season conference title on the line, and Lawson's 13 points, eight rebounds and nine assists were a huge reason why Roy Williams' team was able to walk off the court on Senior Day in Chapel Hill with a win.

But, the swelling after that game and the 5-foot-11 guard's subsequent slower-than-expected recovery have his availability in doubt for the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

"There is a huge probability that Ty [Lawson] will not play tomorrow. He is not able to do the things that I want him to do in practice, so some things would have to change drastically before I would change my mind on that," UNC coach Roy Williams told the media on Wednesday.

The Heels are likely going to be extra cautious with Lawson's toe this time around because another setback could mean the team's offensive catalyst would have to miss games in the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, contests that would be much harder to win without Lawson than their opening round game against Radford.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Lawson on his toe injury: 'Playing the Duke game made it 100 times worse'

We're looking good and Tyler just tied JJ's record. This will be a good game. Tyler will pass JJ and I'm stil hopeful we have Lawson for Saturday, at least part of it. LSU didn't look that good today, but it would be great to have Lawson for at least part of the game.

RE: Lawson on his toe injury: 'Playing the Duke game made it 100 times worse'

Don't be a dumb a__, betgiles. Roy stated prior to the dook game that if he was cleared to play by the medical staff, then he would allow the player to make the decision if he wanted to play or not. Lawson chose to play through the pain and sweep dook. Lawson was saying that maybe he (meaning himself) made a bad decision in deciding to play in the dook game.

I am surrounded by IDIOT ABC'ers!!!

uncfan1

Good one....

pcdoc

WHO THE FLIP CARES? I am more worried about my stinking job than a whiny Tarheel that will end up with a $50 million NBA contract. UNC will lose by the 3rd round anyway...LET IT GO!
- Posted by thepcdoc10

Maybe if you spent more time doing your job than reading & commenting on-line, you wouldn't have to be so worried about it.

RE: Lawson on his toe injury: 'Playing the Duke game made it 100 times worse'

Lawson shows what an UNC education will get you.
- Posted by foetine

You mean a career that will probably pay $50-100 million?

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