Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: Point guard Lonzo Ball is expected to be shut down for 1-2 weeks to recover from his mild calf strain.
Los Angeles Lakers rumors have been quiet. Most of the attention recently has been on the Las Vegas Summer League, where the Lakers took home the title. The Lakers finished the Summer League on fire, winning their final six games after losing the first two.
A big reason for the success in Las Vegas was the play of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Lonzo Ball. The former UCLA star point guard had as big a dud as anyone in his debut, making only 2-of-15 shots, and 1-of-11 from three-point land. That performance would prove to be an aberration as he dominated the remainder of the Summer League.
Ball would record a triple-double in the second game against the Boston Celtics and the fifth game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had a 36-point outburst in a come from behind victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Ball was everything the Lakers and basketball fans were hoping for. He was dominant after that first game, averaging 16.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. No one had ever recorded a triple-double in the Las Vegas Summer League before Ball. He also had the most double-digit assist games Las Vegas has ever seen as well.
Ball would take home MVP honors for the Las Vegas Summer League. While that wasn’t surprising given his performance, what was surprising was that he received it even before the championship game. He didn’t even play in the championship game, as he dealt with a calf strain suffered in the semifinals against the Dallas Mavericks.
Thankfully for the Lakers, the calf strain is not considered a serious injury.
Los Angeles Daily News Lakers writer Mark Medina shared an update on Ball’s injury on his Twitter account. An MRI confirmed that Ball has a low grade, mild calf strain.
Lonzo Ball had an MRI that confirmed a low grade (mild) calf strain).
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 19, 2017
He also added that Ball will likely be shut down for 1-2 weeks, but this is normally a time that NBA players rest, so Ball shouldn’t miss much.
Ball's injury isn't considered serious. It's likely he'll rest next one or two weeks. Typically, this is time most NBA players rest anyway.
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) July 19, 2017
While it was disappointing to not see Ball on the court a second time in Las Vegas, it was the right move by the Lakers. There is zero reason to risk further injury, especially since Ball had proven more than enough in the five games that he was on the court for.
The Lakers showed extreme caution throughout the Summer League, which is expected. Brandon Ingram was shut down after one game after suffering from cramps. Kyle Kuzma missed one game with cramps. Josh Hart say out the final six games and P.J. Dozier missed the final five, both with ankle sprains.
Los Angeles is playing it safe and smart. There is no reason for anyone that isn’t 100 percent to be playing and risk further injury. The Las Vegas Summer League has become a relatively big event, but it is still only exhibition games.
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With the week or two of rest, Ball should be back to 100 percent. With training camp only a few weeks away, it makes sense to get rest now. The NBA season is a grind, especially for a rookie, so ensuring you are healthy as you head into it is imperative.