After being sidelined for six consecutive games, Lonzo Ball will make his return for the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns, according to John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix. Ball was listed as questionable going into Thursday’s game.
However, unlike every other game Ball has played with the Pelicans this season, he won’t be in the starting lineup, per Gambadoro.
While that could be a result of Gentry wanting to ease Ball back into the rotation, it’s more like that Gentry is happy with that he’s seen from the new-look starting backcourt featuring Holiday at the 1 — where Ball played originally — and JJ Redick at the 2.
Holiday and Redick haven’t been great defensively, posting a defensive rating of 112.5 in the 11 games they’ve played together, but they’ve been great offensively, posting an offensive rating of 110.6. For context, the pairing of Ball and Holiday posted an offensive rating of 106.8 and an overall net rating of -9.6.
Ball could eventually work his way back into the starting lineup, but until he starts to be more aggressive as a scorer — not just a shooter — veteran scorers like Redick will continue to leapfrog him in the rotation.
The Pelicans and Suns will tip-off at 10:30 p.m. EST.
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