https://lonzowire.usatoday.com/2019/01/22/lakers-news-rajon-rondo-expected-to-return-vs-minnesota-timberwolves/
Lakers News: Rajon Rondo expected to return vs. Timberwolves
The Los Angeles Lakers have had more than their fair share of injury woes this season, the most recent spell seeing them without Lonzo Ball, Rajon Rondo and LeBron James for Monday's game against the Golden State Warriors. Fortunately, it appears the span without any of their top-three ballhandlers will be short-lived.
After Monday's game against the Warriors, head coach Luke Walton stated that the team expects Rondo will be back with the team for Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, barring any setbacks.
"I think Rondo will play Thursday as long as he continues to move with no setback until then. We'll keep pushing him and we'll re-evaluate each morning."
The Lakers did not practice on Tuesday meaning the only realistic opportunity for a potential setback would be on Wednesday during practice.
Rondo would offer a badly needed presence to the Laker lineup. Not only has the team been lacking a point guard in recent games but has lacked leadership for the entire stretch since both Rondo and James were lost on Christmas Day.
On the season, Rondo is averaging 8.4 points and 6.7 assists in just 14 games and two starts. However, his ability to take over games was on display in that Christmas Day game against the Warriors. While the team will certainly miss Lonzo Ball, Rondo provides an element of leadership and calmness that Ball nor any of the other youngsters can provide at this point in their career.
Rondo also moves Ingram back to a secondary ball handler role where he is far more comfortable. And even more, Rondo and the Lakers will soon be rejoined by James as he nears his return with the Lakers gearing up for a playoff run.
After being listed as questionable on Monday night, Lonzo Ball was upgraded to probable on Tuesday morning, hours before the Pelicans are set to take on the Jazz. Ball has missed the last three games for New Orleans with bilateral knee tendinopathy.
Monday saw Ball take part in his first practice in nearly a week. After, he spoke to the media and indicated his plan was to play in Tuesday's game, which would be his first game in 11 days.
"I feel a lot better. I went through practice for the first time today and felt good. The plan...
On Monday, the league honored Martin Luther King Jr. with its annual slate of games throughout the day in which his impact is discussed at length by the players and those associated with the league.
This season, the New Orleans Pelicans did not have a contest on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. However, on Sunday, Fox Sports New Orleans played a snippet from Lonzo Ball discussing the impact King had on his life.
The full transcript of Ball's answer:
"I think I've been honoring him the same way every year. The way I was brought up, I just learned a lot about...
After being a full participant in practice on Monday and saying he 'definitely' plans on playing on Tuesday, Lonzo Ball is listed as questionable on the Pelicans' injury report ahead of the two-game mini-series with the Jazz.
Being listed as questionable is a vast improvement for Ball heading into the game after being listed as out in the day before each of the last three games.
In speaking with the media after partaking in practice on Monday, Ball seemed optimistic about returning to the court on Tuesday.
"I feel a lot better. I went through practice for the...
Lonzo Ball full participant in Monday's practice, nearing return to court for Pelicans
Hornets-Wizards game scheduled for Wednesday postponed due to COVID-19
Pelicans vs. Kings: Prediction, point spread, odds, over/under, betting picks