Lonzo Ball out longer than we expect

Lonzo Ball went down with an ankle sprain and bone bruise against the Rockets on January 19. Since Ball has been out the Lakers defensive play has been plummeting while he’s been away. Ball’s absence to the team has been really detrimental to the team, even Lebron came out saying how his absence has impacted the team. We obviously miss another ballhandler, another playmaker," he said, per the Los Angeles Times' Brad Turner "A guy that’s very, very good defensively. With his ability to get a steal and pressure the offensive point guard and then push the pace for us, get into our early offense. So we miss that a lot."

It's been 14 games as of Thursday that he’s been out and from reports of the Lakers doctor it looks like they will be without him longer. Per Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell, Ball still needs more time before returning to the court, stretching beyond the initial projection of a 4-6 week window

Even if doctors clear him for a return in a week's time, Ball is unlikely to make a big enough difference for the Lakers to get them back into the top eight of the Western Conference. The Lakers already put themselves and tough spot they are exactly three spots from the eighth seed. It’s highly unlikely they can put themselves into a contending spot. This truly might be Lebron’s first year in the league not making it to the playoffs.