Lakers Injury News: Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma And Brandon Ingram Effectively Ruled Out For Final Game Of Season
Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

However slim any return for Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram or Kyle Kuzma seemed this season, Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton maintained it was a possibility. That was until Tuesday, when Walton all but formally ruled his young stars out for the remaining two games.

“It’s not looking good,” Walton said. “Most likely you won’t see them again this season.” Tuesday’s game against the Houston Rockets was the seventh in a row Ball missed, the sixth consecutive for Ingram, and Kuzma’s second.

When Ball sustained a left knee contusion on March 28, he expressed minimal concern and considered the injury minor. A precautionary MRI did not reveal any structural damage to his knee.

However, as Ball went through workouts and a game of 2-on-2 within recent weeks, he felt discomfort in the left knee. Walton said at the beginning of the month that the rookie point guard would not return unless he was pain free.

Between a shoulder sprain, left MCL sprain and his latest knee trouble, Ball was limited to 52 games (50 starts). He averaged 10.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.2 assists.

Ingram’s trouble began March 30 when he was hit in the neck/shoulder region in the third quarter. He continued playing but was removed a few minutes into overtime and taken to the locker room.

The second-year forward initially passed a concussion test, but was placed into the NBA’s concussion protocol the following day. Ingram was on the court during Tuesday’s shootaround to go through the last hurdle to being cleared. But in order to return he would have needed to be asymptomatic for 24 hours.

Kuzma’s body ultimately betrayed him as he suffered a left ankle sprain after battling through a sprain of his right ankle for nearly one month. “My last one was an inside sprain. This is an outside sprain, so it’s two different types of feelings,” Kuzma described of his injuries.

You May Also Like

Lakers News: Frank Vogel Says Lineup Changes In Rockets Game Not Long-Term

The Los Angeles Lakers again struggled to shoot, falling 113-97 to the Houston Rockets with LeBron James and…

Lakers News: Austin Reaves Doesn’t Think Anthony Davis Gets Enough Credit For His Defense

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves was an instrumental piece of what the team was able to accomplish this past season…

Kobe Bryant: ‘Means The Most’ To Receive Respect From NBA Peers

After 20 seasons in the NBA with the Los Angeles Lakers, superstar…

Lakers News: Luke Walton Believes Maturation Key To Brandon Ingram Attacking The Basket With More Frequency

One of the more interesting aspects to watch with the Los Angeles Lakers this season has been the progression of…