Looking to do whatever possible to avoid surgery, Hornets forward Jamal Mashburn will fly to Vancouver, B.C., for a week of physical therapy with a specialist in abdominal injuries.

Mashburn went on the injured list last week with a lower abdominal strain - an injury that's fairly rare in basketball but more common in hockey and soccer. The therapist, who the Hornets say wants to remain anonymous, will "strengthen and stretch different muscle groups," according to team physician Dr. Glenn Perry.

An informed source said the Vancouver therapist also treated Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal for a previous abdominal injury.

If Mashburn ultimately needs surgery, he could be out three months or more.

Perry said at best, Mashburn figures to miss the next three weeks.

There's no timetable on when Mashburn will decide whether to have surgery.

Mashburn left the Coliseum at the outset of Friday's home game, before speaking with reporters. Perry said Mashburn wants "to avoid surgery at all costs and I certainly concur."

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