The Los Angeles Lakers expect to be without rookie point guard Lonzo Ball for a sixth straight game, this time sitting out on Friday night against the Chicago Bulls, according to Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet. Ball has yet to resume practicing with the team, as Los Angeles is slated to start a five-game road trip over the next 10 days, starting with the Bulls at the United Center.
Ball was recently selected to play for the Rising Stars U.S. Team, as one of three Lakers to be chosen for the Friday Feb. 16 showcase, along with teammates Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram.
Coach Luke Walton is not expecting Ball to make his return anytime soon, and could potentially hold him out the entire road trip in hopes to let his injury heal fully.
The Lakers have surprisingly flipped the switch after starting 0-7 without their prized floor general winning three of the first five games without him during this stretch.
Jordan Clarkson's antics have gone a long way in keeping this team on the winning end with Ball on the shelf, posting 33, 29, and 22 points respectively in light of extra playing time in his absence.
Tyler Ennis is expected to start in Ball's place with Clarkson and Alex Caruso seeing additional time with the absence of their starting floor general.
The Lakers will face four Eastern Conference teams before taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Feb. 4 to wrap up their road trip.
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