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Lakers News: Lonzo Ball Limited in Practice with Knee Injury

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball took a step toward his return to the court Monday.

The Lakers announced the rookie "was a limited participant" during Monday's practice. Ball hasn't appeared in a game since Jan. 13 when he played 43 minutes and tallied nine points and seven assists in a victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

The UCLA product has been dealing with a knee injury but has played 36 games for Los Angeles this season. He is averaging 10.2 points, 7.1 assists, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals a night behind 35.6 percent shooting from the field and 30.3 percent shooting from three-point range.

Lakers reporter Mike Trudell updated Ball's status on Saturday, noting he has participated in full-speed drills without any setbacks.

"I didn't think it was going to be this serious, to be honest," Ball said of his injury Wednesday, per Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times. "There was never a timeline for it. It was kind of just a thing that came up. I thought it was going to be dealt with quicker, but obviously my body didn't react to it that well. I should be back hopefully soon." 

Despite Ball's health problems, the Lakers have found their footing for an extended stretch this season, going 12-5 in their last 17.

They still have Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Josh Hart in the backcourt, and Isaiah Thomas provides an additional guard after they acquired him via trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Brandon Ingram is also versatile enough to handle the ball on the perimeter until Ball is ready to return.

Lakers News: Lonzo Ball out for next two games, doubtful for Rising Stars Challenge

After missing his last 13 games with a left MCL sprain, Lonzo Ball should be making his return to the Los Angeles Lakers soon, but not as soon as some, including Ball, had hoped.

According to Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times, head coach Luke Walton has ruled out Ball for the next two games, making his availability for Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge less likely.

Ball was one of three Lakers selected to represent Team USA in the Rising Stars Challenge, along with rookie Kyle Kuzma and second-year forward Brandon Ingram. Should Ball miss out this year, the Lakers will be well represented regardless.

Still, it’s disappointing to think the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks won’t be participants in the Rising Stars Challenge, especially with the latter showing signs of All-Star potential in his rookie campaign.

On the season, Ball is averaging 10.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. His shooting from the field (35.6 percent) still leaves much to be desired, but he was showing a spike in production prior to suffering an injury to his left MCL. In December, Ball was shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 37.7 from long range on 5.3 attempts per game.

Ball will surely miss out on playing in his first Rising Stars game, especially in front his hometown crowd in Los Angeles, but his long-term health is more important than some exhibition game. If all goes well, he’ll likely get an invite again next year.

Ball will have a 10-day gap between now and his next game to get his knee to full strength. Hopefully by the time the Lakers return from All-Star break, Ball will be ready to lead the Lakers to a playoff push alongside his new teammates Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye.

Get well soon, Zo!

Lakers News: Luke Walton Joins Isaiah Thomas And Rajon Rondo In Getting Ejected

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton picked up back-to-back technical fouls and was ejected a couple minutes before halftime of Wednesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The technicals came as a result of Walton vehemently protesting a foul call on Kyle Kuzma.

Frustrated himself, the rookie forward drew a technical foul for his reaction to the whistle — a jump in the air and fake slam of the ball into the ground. Walton came storming across the court, drawing his first technical, and continued to argue.

He had already been frustrated by earlier events, as Isaiah Thomas and Rajon Rondo drew two sets of double-technical fouls, earning themselves ejections. The second technicals that were issued came rather quickly and as a result of Rondo continuing to serve as an instigator.

Walton attempted to plead his case over that fact, though it was to no avail. He now has eight technical fouls on the season, which trail only Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholze for most in the league.

With Walton no longer on the bench, Brian Shaw assumed the role of head coach. Shaw went 56-85 in his two seasons as coach of the Denver Nuggets. This season is his 10th as an assistant with the Lakers.

The Lakers trailed the Pelicans, 79-66, at the start of the third quarter. Their deficit grew to as many as 23 points in the first half.

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