One of the biggest story lines over one of the most hectic summers in Lakers history was Lonzo Ball and the status of his knee injury. This knee injury kept him out for weeks during the rookie season and with news of his surgery had Laker twitter in a stupor. But fear not. After finally being cleared for five on five drills, there is some good news coming from Mike Trudell.
Luke said that while Lonzo Ball continues to look really good and healthy in practice, he won’t play in Sunday’s preseason game (as expected).
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 29, 2018
LeBron even joked about how Lonzo did not even look like he had surgery at all in the first place.
As Lonzo was recently cleared for practice, I think it is a good idea to let him recover and get his body back in shape during the preseason. Practicing one on one or five on five is a completely different thing compared to full speed game time. Even though it’s a bit conservative, which head trainer Marco Nunez has been for injuries, it’s the best way to preserve Lonzo in the long run.
Another story that somehow has lingered is the injury with Lakers’ draft pick, Moritz Wagner. Having to sit out the last game of Summer League with a knee contusion, he still has not been cleared to play and will miss the preseason, per Mike Trudell.
Lakers first round pick Moe Wagner will be out for the duration of the preseason due to the knee contusion he suffered at summer league. He’ll be reevaluated at that point.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) September 29, 2018
With a knee contusion, it’s expected that the knee will heal on its own with proper protection, optimal loading, ice, compression and elevation (POLICE as opposed to PRICE with the R standing for resting).
But we have seen this earlier before.
Last March, Lonzo Ball’s initial injury was diagnosed as a contusion. We do not have the medical records or imaging results for Moe Wagner, but one has to think that there is an underlying issue that is a bigger problem with the rookie’s recovery. Hopefully, it is resolved soon as Moe Wagner showed glimpses of promise during his playing time in Las Vegas. He will be evaluated again in October.
