The Los Angeles Lakers have lost eight games in a row and are in desperate of need of a win following a 37-point loss to Paul George's Oklahoma City Thunder. One of the main reasons for the team's woes as of late has been the absence of Lonzo Ball who has been dealing with a shoulder injury that has kept him out the last five games.

On Thursday, Ball got back on the practice floor for the first time since injuring his shoulder last month. The rookie point guard talked about the condition of his shoulder as he nears his return and the state of the team after the loss to Oklahoma City.

“It felt pretty good, man,” Lonzo said of his shoulder. “It was my first official practice back. It was kind of crazy, I was wondering how guys were going to come in today after that loss we had yesterday, but everybody came in and got after it. So, I was very happy to be out here with them.”

Although Ball is practicing and will more than likely play on Friday against the visiting Charlotte Hornets, the 20-year-old admitted his shoulder isn't back to normal as of yet.

“It's not 100%, but its manageable,” Ball said. “I’m out there playing and I’m just happy to be back for the most part.”

Without Ball on the floor, the Lakers don't seem like the same team. The first-year guard is noticing the difference his absence has made in terms of style of play.

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“Our defense keeps slipping,” Ball said. “Still missing free throws. Still got turnovers. The thing that really hurt us is our pace. The pace is slowing down, so we've definitely got to turn those things around.”

“Guys aren't talking. We're not helping. Guys are getting beat. Like I said, we've just got to come together as a team to figure it out.”

Fortunately for Los Angeles, Ball's return is imminent and the schedule gets a little easier during their current homestand which is the longest of the 2017-18 season. Los Angeles will play the next four games at home against the Hornets (14-23), Atlanta Hawks (10-27), and Sacramento Kings (12-25) before taking on the San Antonio Spurs (26-13).

If Ball can get back on the floor on Friday and quickly get this team back to playing with the pace they found some success with, the Lakers have a chance to get back on track and potentially get something going before the All-Star break.