Paul Pierce back on shelf with toe injury Tuesday

For such a small body part, Paul Pierce's toe is causing him an awful lot of trouble this year.

Like it did on Dec. 16, a toe injury is keeping Pierce out of the lineup for his Washington Wizards, as they take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. Kobe Bryant is sidelined for the Lakers, too, so it's not as if Pierce's absence is costing fans a 25th regular season battle between the two veterans.

Tuesday marks just the third game all season that the 37-year-old Pierce has missed, with his body holding up well at  reduced 26.9 minutes a night. In 43 games, he's averaging 12.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and two assists, shooting 45.8 percent overall and 39.1 percent from long range.

Much as those counting stats may be modest, Pierce remains an effective offensive weapon for the Wizards, bringing a nice balance to their starting unit. As a result, the team has been 7.1 points per-100 possessions better with him on the floor than off of it, though part of that may have to do with playing 98.2 percent of his minutes with John Wall.

Even with Pierce out and Wall himself a game-time decision, the Wizards should be able to take a road win in Hollywood. Otto Porter started the last game that Pierce missed but he's fallen out of the rotation some, meaning Martell Webster or Rasual Butler could get the nod.