The Los Angeles Lakers are once again without Lonzo Ball in the lineup as he recovers from a knee contusion. Is there are a timetable for his return?
Injuries have been a big issue for the Los Angeles Lakers for much of the season, as it seems like a long time ago when the whole team was healthy together. Against the Dallas Mavericks recently, Lonzo Ball suffered a knee contusion, which left him in considerable pain and forced him from the game.
The Lakers have played two games since then, and Ball hasn’t been able to play in either of them. While the Lakers were able to play both the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings closely, both games were losses.
As of now, the Lakers don’t have much behind Ball at the point guard position, as Isaiah Thomas is out for the rest of the season recovering from hip surgery. With Ball out, Luke Walton is forced to Alex Caruso and Tyler Ennis likely a lot more than he wants to.
With the season coming to a close, the Lakers are going to be playing it careful with Ball. Luke Walton recently gave an update on Ball, and here is what he said via Matthew Moreno of LakersNation.com.
"“He’s getting treatment, and as soon as he says it feels better and the training staff gets him doing live-speed stuff, then we’ll be able to get him on the court for some 2-on-2 and 3-on-3 type of stuff. If that feels good, then we’ll be able to get him back in a game.”"
When Ball has been out, the Lakers have used Brandon Ingram in a point forward role, which he has excelled in. Unfortunately, Ingram suffered a concussion against the Milwaukee Bucks and was unable to play against the Kings. As shown by the 84-83 box score against the Kings, the Lakers’ offense clearly didn’t do so hot without Ingram and Ball.
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With six games left to play, it would be great to see both Ball and Ingram get back out on the court for at least the last few games of the season. However, the Lakers aren’t going to push either without anything to play for.