It's been five games since Lonzo Ball hit the hardwood for the Los Angeles Lakers, and according to coach Luke Walton, fans shouldn't expect the 20-year-old point guard back anytime soon.
“I don’t expect him back,” Walton said while speaking with the press before his team's Sunday win over the New York Knicks at Staples Center. “I haven’t seen him on the court doing anything, but they’re looking at it, still taking it day by day to see when the knee starts feeling better.”
Walton noted that Ball's progress is coming along but he won't be suiting up until his knee feels solid.
"They did more with him yesterday than the day before, and he says he feels good, but he's still not -- he's still out," said Walton.
According to Walton, the team expects Ball to come on the five-game road trip beginning Friday.
“Whether he plays or not, it all depends on the knee,” Walton said. “We’re not going to rush him back from a sore knee. Once that gets better, we’ll get him back on the court.”
Asked about how teams approach player injuries now as compared to when he was playing in the league, Walton said it's changed.
"I think now, there's more effort on keeping players healthy and looking at the long-term picture."
Source: lonzowire.usatoday.com
