Lonzo Ball is slated to make his return next Friday against the Dallas Mavericks, after missing the team's last 15 games with knee soreness, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

“I practiced yesterday, [and] it's at a point where I can play, but it still hurts a little bit,” Ball said after the team's shootaround. “So they want to just get that out and take this week, and we are playing good right now, so no need to rush it.”

Ball emphasized that if this were a playoff scenario, he'd be lacing them up, but the team is taking a rather careful approach with their second overall selection and ensuring he's well enough to take the court.

The rookie is expecting his first child but notes his life hasn't changed all that much at all with the news of his soon-to-be firstborn.

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“Not yet,” Ball said when asked if his life has changed dramatically. “Probably will when [the baby] gets here.”

Ball has struggled shooting the ball this season, shooting only 35.6 percent from the field (worst among qualifying rookies), 30.3 percent from deep, along with a mere 48 percent from the foul line — all a vast difference from the highly-touted efficiency he displayed at UCLA during his lone year in college.

He's still putting up good numbers all-around with averages of 10.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 7.1 assists. However, for his game to come together, he will have to arduously tune-up in his deficiencies over this upcoming offseason.