The Los Angeles Lakers have been without their starting point guard for quite a while, and forward Julius Randle is looking forward to his return.
Since their game against the Dallas Mavericks, the Los Angeles Lakers have been without their rookie point guard, Lonzo Ball. Despite some shooting struggles this season, Ball has played very well for the Lakers.
So far this season, Ball is averaging 10.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game. Ball’s ability to fill up the stat sheet has certainly helped the Lakers. Being a point guard, Ball is able to help on the glass, which gets the Lakers out in transition and sets up their offense nicely.
For the past seven games, Ball has been out with the MCL sprain. After losing six straight without Ball earlier in the season, the Lakers have done a bit better with him out this time. Against some weaker opponents, the Lakers are 4-3 without Ball in this current stretch and will try to move to 5-3 with a win against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
The Lakers certainly hope that their starting point guard is back soon. Recently, Julius Randle talked about Ball’s impact on the team with Bill Oram. Here’s what Randle had to say.
"“It will help a lot,” Julius Randle said. “Just his unselfishness, pushing the pace, ball movement. All that is contagious. So it will help a lot.”"
As a forward/center, Randle certainly benefits from the play of Ball, as a good point guard certainly makes things a lot easier for Randle in addition to the rest of the team. However, Randle is able to create a lot on his own considering his size and position on the court.
Without Ball, Randle is one of the players who has stepped up for the Lakers in their recent successful stretch. He has been able to average 17.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in his last five. As the starting power forward now, Randle has seen his minutes increase, and that has resulted in his production increasing as well.
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Even though the Lakers have played well recently without Ball, they will be eager to have him back. With a few changes in the Western Conference, a healthy Ball could be the spark the Lakers need to go on a run.