LEONARD LAYE of the Charlotte Observer reports: Jamal Mashburn's injury is more serious than the Charlotte Hornets first believed, and the starting forward will be lost to the for an extended period, perhaps as long as one or two months, team sources said Friday.

Mashburn, the Hornets' starting small forward and second-leading scorer, has missed the past three games with what was originally thought to be a strained right groin. The diagnosis was later changed to a lower abdominal strain.

The possibilities for treatment include surgery, the sources said, though doctors are still considering the most appropriate option and have not yet made a decision.

A team spokesman said no additional information on Mashburn's condition or prognosis would be available until Tuesday, after team physician Glenn Perry and others have a chance to consult with the specialists Mashburn has seen. Then, a course of treatment will be determined.

"All I know is he's not going to be around for a while," coach Paul Silas said. "What the circumstances are I don't know.