After missing seven games with a right hip flexor strain, Lonzo Ball will return to the starting lineup for Sunday night’s game against the Houston Rockets. Ball will not be joined, though, by Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson as both remain out, Ingram with a right big toe injury and Williamson with a thumb sprain.
The Pelicans are in dire need of guards with Josh Hart likely done for the season, Kira Lewis out on Sunday and Isaiah Thomas not be able to make his debut until Tuesday due to health and safety protocols. As a result, Ball will not be on a minutes restriction on Sunday, though he’ll be under watch from Stan Van Gundy and his coaching staff.
Stan Van Gundy: "He's going to start, then we'll see how things go. I've only got three guards (Ball, Alexander-Walker, Bledsoe). So (Ball) is going to have to play, and play quite a bit… There is no minute restriction, but we'll definitely keep an eye on him." https://t.co/G1YmVGtbVV
— Jim Eichenhofer (@Jim_Eichenhofer) April 4, 2021
Ball’s last game for New Orleans came on March 18 in Portland. In his absence, the Pelicans went 4-3, winning four of the first six games before back-to-back losses.
