Los Angeles Lakers Rumors: There is a chance that rookie point guard Lonzo Ball does not play the remainder of the preseason.
Most of the recent Los Angeles Lakers rumors have involved injury news. Newly acquired center Andrew Bogut is progressing well from his groin injury; he is expected to return by the end of the week and be ready for the regular season. The same cannot be said for rookie point guard Lonzo Ball.
Ball injured his ankle against the Denver Nuggets on October 4th. The injury occurred in the first half, and Ball was able to return to the court after that.
However, the injury was worse than originally thought, as Ball has yet to return to the court. Now, there is a chance that we won’t see him the remainder of the preseason.
Ball missed Sunday’s game against the Sacramento Kings and did not suit up against the Utah Jazz last night either. Head coach Luke Walton said that Ball is still having issues sliding side to side on the injured ankle. As a result, Ball could miss the remainder of the preseason.
More from Lakers Rumors
- 3 teams that will trade for Buddy Hield before the Lakers have a chance
- NBA rumors: How the Lakers can trade for Buddy Hield
- NBA rumors: Warriors work out multiple players from Lakers’ scrap heap
- NBA Rumors: Lakers looking to potentially pull off blockbuster trade
- Hideous Lakers jerseys for 2023-24 season have potentially been leaked
"“I hope not, but yeah, that’s a possibility,” Walton said when asked if Ball could miss the rest of the preseason. “It is different with every player. He is new to the team, so we’ve got to see how long these types of injuries take him to come back from. We’d like to have him back, but again, we are not going to rush him back just to try to get him out there.”"
Well, that isn’t what the Lakers organization or their fans wanted to hear. Ball is already drawing big crowds and is a popular player. Fans want to see him on the court playing, not on the bench injured.
Walton did make it clear that Ball is day-to-day. There is still a chance that he gets back on the court this preseason, adding that he expects him to be ready for the regular season opener on October 19th against the Los Angeles Clippers.
While it is disappointing that Ball may not get back on the court, it is the right move. The Lakers are better off letting Ball get healthy now so that he is 100 percent for the regular season; pushing him for meaningless preseason games would make no sense.
Next: 5 Bold Predictions For Lakers 2017-18 Season
It would be beneficial for the Lakers to develop some chemistry and cohesion, as their projected starting lineup has not yet played together. However, building that chemistry isn’t worth risking an injury over, so the Lakers are making the smart move allowing Ball time to rest and heal up.