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Lakers News: Lonzo Ball to be sidelined at least least one week

By Kenneth Teape

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 23: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the second half of a game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on December 23, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 95-92. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers News: Lonzo Ball will be sidelined at least a week as he suffered a shoulder injury against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Los Angeles Lakers news has not been positive recently. The Lakers have big hit hard by the injury bug recently as their depth is going to be tested.

Last week, Brook Lopez went down with an ankle injury. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is serving his jail sentence, so he is unable to play some games. Brandon Ingram is dealing with a quad injury and is questionable for the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Night after missing the game against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Now, another player is being added to the injury report. The Lakers are going to be without rookie point guard Lonzo Ball for the foreseeable future.

Ball suffered an injured shoulder in the first half against the Trail Blazers. He was able to make it through that game but underwent an MRI on Sunday. The MRI came back negative, which is positive.

However, Ball will miss tonight’s game against the Timberwolves, and he sidelined at least a week. The Lakers official Twitter account shared that Ball will be updated in a week.

This is an unfortunate break for Ball and the Lakers. The Lakers will be without their starting point guard, which means their rotation will have to be adjusted once again. Luke Walton has constantly changed his rotations throughout the season, so changes will occur once again.

In addition to that, Ball was beginning to heat up. Ball’s shooting form and percentages have been under scrutiny all season, but he was starting to turn a corner.

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Ball has made multiple 3-pointers in six consecutive games. During that time, he is shooting 18-of-40 from the 3-point line, which equals out to an impressive 45 percent. That is a huge improvement on the 29.7 percent that Ball is shooting thus far this season.

In addition to the improved 3-point shooting, Ball’s shooting efficiency has improved overall. During that same span, Ball is making 44.3 percent of his shots, an improvement on his 34.9 percent on the season.

Where the Lakers will really miss Ball is in his playmaking and rebounding. Ball leads the team in both categories, averaging 6.9 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. He is also averaging 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game, as he is getting it done defensively as well.

Without Ball in the lineup, the Lakers could lean on Jordan Clarkson and Josh Hart more. One of those two players could be inserted into the starting lineup to replace Ball. Also, Tyler Ennis and possibly Alex Caruso, who is on a two-way deal, could see more minutes.

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Whatever Walton decides to do with the lineup, Ball will be missed. It is not easy to replace that kind of production as Ball helps in more ways than one.

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