Lonzo Ball will have to wait to play against Russell Westbrook after Los Angeles Lakers' guard was ruled out for Wednesday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Ball and Brook Lopez, who is available to play, were cleared to practice with the team on Tuesday. Ball, however, will miss his sixth straight game with a left shoulder injury after experiencing pain Wednesday morning following Tuesday's practice. The rookie guard took part in Wednesday morning's shootaround and will practice Thursday.
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"Obviously we'll continue to take our time and make sure that he's fine," Lakers coach Luke Walton said of Ball, who is averaging 10 points, 7.1 assists and 6.9 rebounds. "He came in and did some work, woke up a little sore today, did the whole shooting practice but just because he was sore today and it's a bigger game tomorrow and we have a day off to practice, we're going to hold him out. We want to make sure we're being smart about it."
Ball is eager to get back in action, and Friday's home game against the Charlotte Hornets is a possibility depending on how he feels after practice on Thursday.
It's the Lakers' first game against Westbrook and the Thunder this season, and Ball could have his first chance to play against the reigning MVP in Oklahoma City on January 17.