Lakers News: Lonzo Ball is set to return; who it helps, who it hurts
By Jason Reed
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball has missed several weeks with an MCL injury. However, Ball returning on Friday is the latest Lakers news.
It has been awhile since Laker fans have seen Lonzo Ball on the court. The last time Ball was on the court was January 13 against the Dallas Mavericks. Ball has since missed 15 games, raising his total up to 21 total missed games. In those 21 games, the Los Angeles Lakers are 8-13.
Ball’s immediate impact on the Lakers‘ play is evident. Not only is he producing on the stat sheet, averaging over 10 points and seven assists and rebounds per game, he changes the entire culture on offense. With Ball on the court, the Lakers offense is free-forming, they make the extra pass, take better shots. Without Ball, they are missing that avenue of distribution.
That is why his return should be great Lakers new for the team and the fans if they really want to make a run at the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Ball is slated to return for the Lakers’ first game since the break on Friday, ironically, against the Dallas Mavericks.
However, the Los Angeles Lakers are a much different team than when Ball last hit the court. Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr are now on the Cleveland Cavaliers, point guard Isaiah Thomas is on the Lakers.
This may lead to some minor speed bumps early as Ball tries to develop this interesting relationship with Isaiah Thomas. However, with the overall picture of the Lakers in mind, here is who will be helped, and hurt, by Lonzo Ball’s return from injury.