The Los Angeles Lakers have gotten off to a rocky start, starting the season with five wins and six losses in their first 11 games. But while their fortunes have increased with three wins in their last four games, a recent injury concern to their starting point guard has Lakers fans anxious. The team held their customary practice session on Friday afternoon, and they keyed in on points to focus on in their upcoming games, those being defensive strategies and looking for greater chemistry on offense. However, towards the tail end of practice, CBS Sports noted that the 21-year old Big Baller Brand representative injured his ankle.
He landed on a teammate's foot and appeared to roll and walk gingerly on his left ankle.
Ball 'questionable' for their next game
The Los Angeles Lakers will travel home for their 12th regular season game of the season against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night. The usual lineup of Brandon Ingram, LeBron James, Kyle Kuzma, and JaVale McGee will be used by Coach Walton but as for the point guard position, it will have to be the next man up. The likely suspect to fill in the position that Luke Walton needs to replace will be one of the greatest point guards in the last decade, and that’s Rajon Rondo.
Rajon Rondo has already got some experience in the starting position for the Lakers. Entering the season, Coach Walton had RR9 starting over Lonzo as he was getting back into game shape for the long campaign.
Rondo thrived in this position, establishing good chemistry with his teammates, and was able to smoothly transition to the bench as Lonzo became more and more ready for his role.
Next man up
As Lonzo Ball waits for results on his sprained left ankle, the Los Angeles Lakers have listed him as ‘questionable’ in upcoming games against the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Broderick Turner of Los Angeles Times reported that head coach Luke Walton is hoping it’s “nothing serious” but remains hopeful for his team's chances over the next few games with other players able to fill that void.
Luke Walton added: “We have options… From Brandon to LeBron, to Lance, even Svi… I mean Svi played point guard for his national team.”
With a lot of nifty and quick players on the Lakers team from all positions, Luke has an easy job filling the point guard hole.
Although using a player like Rondo or James at starting point guard would be reasonably successful, he can always jump to other young guys like Josh Hart, Kyle Kuzma and as mentioned, Brandon Ingram, Lance Stephenson, and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk. With the league changing, having more players with the ability to make plays and dribble the ball up the court without defensive concern is something this Los Angeles team has preached and they should be in great shape to fill Lonzo Ball’s role while he is sidelined with a left ankle sprain.
