Lakers Injury Report: Latest on Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram returns

The Los Angeles Lakers were getting smacked by the Denver Nuggets when we last saw them, and being without three of their five starters certainly proved to be problematic. Brook Lopez, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball all missed the Lakers’ third preseason game, but things are looking up heading into Game 4 in Las Vegas.

Lopez is still set to make his debut for the Lakers, something the team’s sorely needed to help address some of their issues in half court sets. Acquiring Lopez as part of the D’Angelo Russell trade was certainly a chunk of the value, giving the team a veteran big man who could help steady a young team. Steadying they need, especially in the form of consistent scoring.

Ingram should also be back on the court Sunday after suffering a head contusion in the Lakers’ first game against the Nuggets. He’s officially listed as probable against the Sacramento Kings. Despite Brandon putting in serious work over the summer, his numbers in the first two games have been uninspiring. 9.5 points, 29.2 percent shooting overall and 16.7 percent from deep is not what he worked for.

That leaves Lonzo as the squeaky wheel. Ball sat out of the Lakers’ loss with a minor ankle sprain, and is considered day-to-day going forward. The Lakers gave official word on Lonzo’s status in the hours leading up to the previous game, so expect a similar process as tip-off nears in Las Vegas.

Considering how poorly the Lakers have played through the first half of preseason, hopefully everyone can get on the court and find any of that magic they may have left behind in the desert a few months ago.