Ball Says He Plans To Play In Opener

After Monday’s practice, Ball made it clear he plans to play in the team’s season-opener on Thursday (10:30 ET, TNT) against the LA Clippers.

And when the lights come up on Thursday night, Lonzo Ball will be on the court, poised to make his debut in the Lakers’ season opener.

The Lakers rookie put to rest any concern that the sprained ankle that forced him to miss all but six quarters of the preseason would affect his availability when the regular season begins Thursday against the Clippers.

Ball was on the floor for the Lakers’ scrimmages on Monday, leading the first team to a victory, bringing his overall record, he said, to “a lot of wins to very little losses.” Despite the fact Ball is coming off a significant ankle sprain, the Lakers have no plans to intervene in his footwear decisions, Walton said.