The second half of the season has been a long one for the Los Angeles Lakers. Injury has plagued the team’s roster for a good portion of the season.
LeBron James sat out for a career-high 17 game stretch from December through most of January. Rajon Rondo spent most of that timeframe off the court, as well. Both of those players are back, but the team is still without Lonzo Ball.
Ball hasn’t played since Jan. 19 and his team is struggling without him. In what was bad news for Lakers fans, Luke Walton shed some light on the outlook of Lonzo’s return.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Walton had this to say:
“Nope, they haven’t given me a date,” Walton said, referring to the training staff and team doctors. “They just said they are working with him and they’ll let me know.”
In the 13 games the Los Angeles Lakers have played without Ball, they have gone 4-9. They have endured losses against teams like the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
As the team continues to scramble to reinsert themselves in the playoff picture out west, losses like these have undercut their best ability to do so.
Until Lonzo returns, Brandon Ingram will retain a more emphasized role with the team. Ingram’s ability to capitalize on the extra freedom he has been given has been one of the only notes of optimism surrounding the Lakers lately.
Since Ball went out with injury, Ingram is averaging over 20 points per game, including averaging 29.3 points and 8.0 rebounds over the Lakers last three games.
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