The Los Angeles Lakers once again will be shorthanded for a second matchup with the Utah Jazz in six days, it’s simply a matter of to what extent. Lonzo Ball (left knee contusion) was upgraded to questionable, and Kyle Kuzma is listed as the same after sustaining a sprained left ankle Friday.
Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram remains in the NBA’s concussion protocol and is ruled out for Sunday afternoon’s game. Ingram now will have missed the past five games since coming out during overtime of a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on March 30.
The second-year forward did progress to riding a stationary bike, but several steps and hurdles remained before an independent doctor could clear Ingram for a return to the court. Time is winding down, as the Lakers only have games remaining Tuesday and Wednesday.
Ball has missed five games since suffering his injury March 28. Coincidentally, it marked the second time this season the rookie point guard suffered a knee injury while playing against the Dallas Mavericks.
Ball was able to recently play 2-on-2 but felt soreness in his knee the next day. Lakers head coach Luke Walton said Ball would not return unless he was pain free.
For Kuzma, he’s now dealing with two sprained ankles. The first, a right ankle sprain, was suffered in the middle of March. He missed one game before pressing ahead and performing admirably.
He said Friday’s injury was on the outside of his left ankle, whereas last month’s sprain was inside. “It’s a different type of feeling,” Kuzma added. He managed to get through nearly half of the third quarter before checking out for good.