NEW ORLEANS _ Lonzo Ball will not play for the Los Angeles Lakers until after the All-Star break, coach Luke Walton said Tuesday.
That means the rookie will have been sidelined for about six weeks because of a sprained knee.
Walton assumes that Ball also will sit out the Rising Stars exhibition Friday night at Staples Center. Although Ball's official status hasn't been determined, it is unlikely that he would play after sitting out the last two Lakers games before All-Star weekend.
Games on Wednesday at New Orleans and Thursday at Minnesota will be the 14th and 15th Ball has sat out because of a medical collateral ligament sprain. He previously sat out six games because of a shoulder sprain.
On Tuesday, Ball participated in practice and took contact with teammates in half-court defensive drills for the first time since suffering the injury. Walton said that Ball was a little sore but was making good progress.
The Lakers did not make Ball available to reporters.
Ball was injured in a game against the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 13. He later returned to the court but experienced more severe pain the next morning. Ball admitted last week that the injury was much more serious than what he initially thought. The Lakers at first said Ball had a "minor knee sprain."
The Lakers plan to stick with the starting lineup they have used for the last five games, with Brandon Ingram at point guard. Isaiah Thomas will again be used as a reserve.
