Lonzo Ball injured in middle of best stretch as a pro, gets MRI
Call it Lonzo’s Law.
If there’s one thing we’ve learned watching Lonzo Ball and the Lakers this season, it’s to expect the unexpected.
We thought the second pick in last June’s Draft would hit the ground running, and the Lakers would make a huge jump in the standings.
Wrong.
We thought the team would keep his father, LaVar Ball, somewhat under control.
Wrong again.
So when Lonzo Ball returned from missing six games with a sore shoulder, it was a bit surprising to see the Lakers roll off a season-best four game winning streak heading into Monday’s game at Memphis.
But now the 20-year old Ball is hurt again.
Lonzo Ball woke up with a sore left knee this morning, and for precautionary reasons, is getting an MRI in Memphis today. The Lakers will send an update with the results.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 14, 2018
Lakers reporter Mike Trudell reports that Ball woke up Sunday morning with a sore left knee, and was getting an MRI.
Trudell reported Sunday night that Ball was diagnosed with a minor knee sprain.
The Lakers’ poor performance in the first half of the season, along with LaVar Ball’s comments suggesting the team had quit on coach Luke Walton, sparked rumors last week that the team is considering replacing Walton with former Grizzlies’ coach David Fizdale.
The Lakers’ front office tried to mute those rumors with a photo showing support for Walton.
On my way to #Memphis for #Lakers game. Dinner with Rob and Luke tomorrow night. Barbecue!! @Lakers #InLukeWeTrust pic.twitter.com/cDIAHSn80a
— Jeanie Buss (@JeanieBuss) January 13, 2018
Yes, a barbecue dinner with team general manager Rob Pelinka and Walton, with the hashtag #inlukewetrust.
In the five games since his return, Ball is averaging 11.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.6 steals per game.
The recent 4-1 surge has lifted the Lakers from the second-worst record in the NBA to fifth-worst.
This season has to be about improvement on the court, because Los Angeles doesn’t own its first-round pick in this year’s draft; it will either go to Boston or Philadelphia, as a result of the Lakers’ ill-fated trade for Steve Nash.
With Ball’s immediate status unknown, Lakers fans are wondering what direction the team will take during this latest injury.
After Monday’s game at Memphis, the Lakers play at Oklahoma City on Wednesday before returning for a three-game homestand starting Friday against Indiana.
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