WRAL Sports Fan

North Carolina

Lawson a question mark for Sunday's matchup with Duke

Mar 8, 2009

Chapel Hill, N.C. — North Carolina point guard Ty Lawson jammed his right big toe against a basket support Friday in practice, an injury that could keep him out of Sunday's Duke game and could linger further into March.

UNC spokesman Steve Kirschner, asked Saturday night if the injury could last into the ACC Tournament and beyond, said, "I would say it could be. You just don't know with this type of injury. It's like turf toe."

"Turf toe" is an injury often sustained by football players that can last for weeks and affect their ability to run. The injury is aggravating for athletes and difficult to resolve.

Kirschner said he has discussed the injury with UNC trainer Chris Hirth. While Carolina is hoping the injury heals in time for the game, there was no way to project that Saturday.

WRAL spotted Lawson on crutches after Friday's practice, but Kirschner said Lawson could walk Saturday without crutches. However, Lawson did not practice Saturday.

Kirschner said the injury is to Lawson's right big toe, not his left.

Asked to describe how the injury happened, Kirschner said, "He was running downcourt during a play. He was running too fast, and he crashed into the basket support and jammed his foot into the basket support."

X-rays showed no fracture, and the team is hoping Lawson will play. Kirschner said he did not know when coach Roy Williams would make a decision. If Lawson doesn't play, Bobby Frasor likely would start at point guard, with freshman Larry Drew as his backup.

Lawson had a sprained ankle and did not play last year when Duke beat Carolina 89-78 on Feb. 6 in Chapel Hill. Quentin Thomas started at point guard for UNC.

The ACC Tournament begins Thursday in Atlanta, and the NCAA pairings are announced next Sunday.

Meanwhile, Duke said forward Lance Thomas is probable after practicing Saturday despite a sprained left ankle sustained while playing Florida State. Point guard Nolan Smith will miss his third straight game as he recovers from a concussion.

The Tar Heels can win the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title outright with a victory, while the Blue Devils can earn a share of it with a win.