Lakers' Ball hopeful he'll be cleared to play Friday vs. Hornets
After taking part in a full-contact practice Thursday, Lonzo Ball's return to action for the Los Angeles Lakers isn't far off.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft has been sidelined since Dec. 23 with a left shoulder sprain. Currently listed as questionable for Friday's game against the visiting Charlotte Hornets at Staples Center, Ball is optimistic he'll be given the thumbs-up to play.
"I felt pretty good," he said Thursday, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "It's not 100 (percent), but it's manageable. I'm out here playing and I'm just happy to be back for the most part. ... Hopefully they'll give me the go.
"I'm going to feel it, but hopefully I can still get out there and play. Mostly just contact, gonna mess with it, other than that I've just got to play through it. ... I think I'll be back before it's 100 (percent), for sure. Like I said, hopefully they'll clear me for tomorrow, but we'll see how it goes.
The Lakers have just a single victory since Dec. 12, and are 0-6 during this ongoing stretch without Ball, most recently losing by 37 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
Ball is averaging 10 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 7.1 assists on 34.9 percent shooting for the 11-26 Lakers.