Tue Feb 5 18:56:38 2008

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Status of UNC's Lawson looms large for Duke game

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Chapel Hill, NC (Sports Network) - North Carolina guard Ty Lawson did not participate in any team drills during Tuesday's practice due to a sprained left ankle, leaving his playing status in doubt for Wednesday's game between the third-ranked Tar Heels and No. 2 Duke.

Lawson left Sunday's 84-73 overtime win at Florida State with the injury. He scored the Tar Heels first four points before leaving the contest just 3:47 into the first half. Lawson didn't return to the game, and the Tar Heels committed 21 turnovers in his absence.

Precautionary x-rays taken on Monday morning were negative, indicating no broken bones. Lawson did not practice on Monday afternoon. He did some light shooting on his own at the side baskets Tuesday, but Lawson's status for the contest at the Smith Center won't be known until Wednesday afternoon.

If Lawson cannot go Wednesday, Quentin Thomas would start at point guard, with Marcus Ginyard playing the back-up position.

Lawson is third on the team in scoring at 13.6 points per game. He also is averaging 5.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds.

Earlier this season, Lawson sprained his right ankle against Brigham Young in Las Vegas on Nov. 24 and missed the Ohio State game on Nov. 28 as a result.

The Tar Heels have beaten Duke three consecutive times. The last time they won four in a row over the Blue Devils was when UNC won seven consecutive games in the series from 1993-96.