World Peace, Splitter are latest injury absences when Lakers face elimination by Spurs

Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol, right, of Spain, and San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan battle for a rebound during the second half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2013, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 120-89. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker, left, of France, goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard defends during the second half in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Friday, April 26, 2013, in Los Angeles. The Spurs won 120-89. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) (The Associated Press)

Facing an 0-3 deficit to the surging San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers probably will run out of games in their season before they run out of healthy players.

But it'll be close.

Coach Mike D'Antoni says Metta World Peace won't play in Game 4 of the first-round series Sunday. He struggled through the biggest home loss in Los Angeles playoff history Friday night, hours after getting fluid drained from a cyst behind his left knee.

World Peace will join Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks on the sideline when Los Angeles tries to avoid its first elimination in the first round since 2007.

The Spurs are also hurting a bit: They'll be without starting forward Tiago Splitter, who sprained his left ankle in Game 3.