It was an encouraging practice for Lonzo Ball and the Lakers, as the rookie
point guard returned as a full participant after missing six games due to a
sprained left shoulder.
The 20-year-old did not feign perfect health, but he did express a desire to
play in Friday’s contest against Charlotte, for which he is listed as
questionable.
“It’s not 100 (percent), but it’s manageable,” Ball said after Thursday’s
contact-heavy practice.
Lonzo Ball gives an update following his first practice back from the shoulder
injury that sidelined him. pic.twitter.com/Y2pmvHVQU4
The Lakers have certainly missed Ball — a player who affects every aspect of
the game — losing all six contests in which he has sat.
The rookie is eighth in the entire NBA in assists (7.1) and leads his team in
rebounding (6.9). He has been a positive defender all season and improved his
shooting to 45.0 percent from 3-point range over his last six appearances.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have suffered on both sides of the ball without him.
Their pace and ball movement have bogged down with their point guard injured.
Even more concerning, their typically formidable defense has surrendered a
league-high 124.3 points per game in this stretch.
Coach Luke Walton said that the Lakers have “missed him a lot.”
“He’s so much more than just a talented player for us,” Walton said. “He’s a guy
that, like we’ve said all along, makes his teammates better. It’s why our
organization’s so high on him.”
Ball doesn’t expect his range of motion to be limited much by his injury, but he
does know that he’s going to feel some pain when he does return to the floor.
“It’s going to be there,” Ball said. “I’m going to feel it.”
@zo’s back on the court
A post shared by Los Angeles Lakers (@lakers) on Jan 4, 2018 at 1:45pm PST
Player: Lonzo Ball
Media Content: http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/180104-injury-report-lonzo-ball
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo Ball, Luke Walton, Los
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