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Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball continues to deal with a knee issue which has kept him out 11 straight games. Ball has been diagnosed with an MCL sprain and the team is being extremely cautious as he works his way back to the floor.
Fortunately for Ball, the 20-year-old will have a chance to get some much-needed rest during the All-Star break. Even though Ball could be held out until after NBA All-Star Weekend, the rookie is slated to play in the 2018 Mtn Dew Kickstart Rising Stars game alongside fellow Lakers Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram. After practice on Wednesday, Ball talked about his frustration level after missing 11 straight days.
“It's pretty tough,” Ball said. “It's the most games I ever missed in my whole life, but it's always good to see my teammates win.”
Despite already missing a total of 17 games this season due to his knee issues, Ball is trying to stay positive throughout the process while enjoying how his team is playing without him on the floor.
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“There's a positive out of every situation,” Ball said. “For me right now, I can see the game from a different point of view and I'm seeing what we need to work on and where we're doing great, so that's good for me. The guys are learning how to play without me. They're doing very good out there. Like I said, just want get back on the court and help them out.”
As for the Rising Stars game, Ball talked about the importance of participating in the event in Los Angeles and whether he believes he'll be able to play.
“Well, it'll be my first time ever experience All-Star, so definitely I would want to do it, but if my body won't let me, I'm not going to do it,” Ball on playing in the Rising Stars game on Feb. 16.
In the meantime, the Lakers will focus on the task at hand with the team looking for their eighth straight win at home on Thursday night when they play host to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center.
