In the second preseason game against the Denver Nuggets, Lonzo Ball suffered a mild left sprained ankle. Since then, the Los Angeles Lakers point guard has not played a game but participated in practice ahead of their preseason finale against the Los Angeles Clippers.

While Ball was questionable against the Clippers, he has officially been ruled out according to Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints:

After averaging 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in two preseason games, the focus will be on ensuring Ball is completely healthy for the 2017-18 NBA season opener against the Clippers. While Ball's injury is considered a setback in terms of the team building chemistry with numerous new players, the top priority is his health long-term.

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Rui Hachimura looking serious. Shannon Sharpe smiling with packed crowd in the background

Fabian Diego Miguel de la Paz ·

LeBron James with hands on hips, and a speech bubble that says "It makes no sense." Next to him is Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic shooting a 3-pointer and Lakers coach Darvin Ham's face centered.

Matt Guzman ·

jokic nuggets lebron lakers

Michael Corvo ·

As the Lakers are 1-4 in the preseason, there are questions that will need to be answered during the course of the new season. With the Lakers wanting to push the pace and utilize Ball's greatest strengths, Los Angeles will need to show their ability to defend at a relatively high level in order to create fastbreak opportunities.

With six days before the season opener on Oct. 19, the hope is Ball will make his NBA debut and officially usher in a new era of Lakers basketball.