Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton did not play Lonzo Ball for the entire fourth quarter in the Lakers’ win over the Charlotte Hornets. This has not been the first time Walton has kept his rookie point guard on the bench at the end of games and because it’s Ball, it continues to be made a big deal.

However, Walton is eager to note that Ball isn’t the only Lakers starter who doesn’t feature in the fourth quarter of games. He also points out that those instances have not negatively affected his prized rookie's spirits.

Via Spectrum SportsNet:

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“Lots of people don’t play in the fourth. But, reporters only point out that Lonzo doesn’t play. Brook didn’t play in the fourth, KCP doesn’t play in the fourth. So there’s lots of starters that aren’t playing in the fourth, depending on how our group goes. … Does it affect ‘Zo? I don’t think so. He was on the bench supporting his teammates, he was in the locker room after the game laughter with the guys.”

Because of the notoriety and level of expectation placed on Ball, he will inevitably get much more attention than just about everyone else on the Lakers roster, especially when he doesn't play in the fourth quarter.

However, turning to a particular group that works, even if it involves leaving out the more high-profile players on the team in crunch time, is a staple of Walton’s coaching style. That’s why Lonzo being left out is not as significant as it might appear and why it should be treated as such.