Lakers Injury Update: Lonzo Ball, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ruled out vs. Pacers

The Los Angeles Lakers will have to try to notch their first win of the season without Lonzo Ball once again when they face the Indiana Pacers on Friday. The Lakers officially ruled Ball out for the third game in a row, a sore left ankle keeping him grounded against Indiana.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has also been ruled out, still dealing with a right Achilles tendon strain. The Lakers missing their starting backcourt is certainly problematic, but it doesn’t stop there.

Brandon Ingram (mild left ankle sprain) and Kyle Kuzma (left hand joint sprain) are both listed as questionable. Are we at the All-Star break yet, guys?

The Lakers were just getting into a rhythm before these minor injuries started to throw everything off balance, again, and this is more unwelcome news. They’ve lost two in a row since Lonzo reported feeling soreness in his left knee, but are back home in Los Angeles after their three-game road trip.

They’ll hold it down in STAPLES Center for three games in a row, opening against the Pacers before facing the New York Knicks on Sunday,and the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

January projected to be a tough month for the Lakers, not because of the strength of schedule as December’s gauntlet was, but the constant outings. They’ve played every-other night through all of January, and will continue to do so until they finally get to breathe after they face Boston on Jan. 23.