Leonard Laye of the Charlotte Observer reports: The Hornets may get an update on Jamal Mashburn's condition this weekend when a Vancouver physical therapist arrives to check the injured forward's progress.

Mashburn, Charlotte's second-leading scorer (18 points a game) when he went out in early season because of a lower abdominal strain, has missed 21 of the Hornets' 30 games. Still uncertain is whether his ongoing workouts will eventually lead to his return or if surgery will be necessary before a comeback.

The therapist, who has worked with Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal and several NHL players for similar injuries, spent a week with Mashburn and Ed Downs, Mashburn's personal trainer, last month in Vancouver. Mashburn and Downs have been following the same workout routine since their return to Charlotte.

Mashburn has not been available for comment on his status since Dec.18. At that time he told reporters that he was feeling better than he had been before going to Vancouver but said he was still uncertain about his path to recovery.

"If surgery is the only way I'll get better then that's what I'll do," he said at that time.

Coach Paul Silas said Wednesday that Mashburn told him, when they last talked, "that he was feeling about the same."