Lakers coach Phil Jackson isn't worried about Pau Gasol's lingering hamstring injury.

Gasol didn't practice on Thursday and will not play against the Mavericks on Friday night.

"We're not worried about this," Jackson told the Los Angeles Daily News. "We're just taking it real slow. Don't you worry about it either."

Jackson added that the Lakers will use Ron Artest to defend Dirk Nowitzki with Gasol out.

"We'll have to use Ron," Jackson said. "I hate to use the term, `When push comes to shove,' but that's what we'll have to do. Lamar has had some success against him, but he does have a history of getting into foul trouble. So, we have to be prepared for that."