Lonzo Ball Out Thursday for Injury Management, Nearing Return After Three-Year Absence

Lonzo Ball will not play Thursday against the Raptors as he continues injury management, though he appears on the cusp of returning to the NBA after nearly three years sidelined by ongoing knee issues, last playing in January 2022. His team is expected to manage his minutes cautiously, likely avoiding back-to-back games and limiting his playing time to the low teens. Historically, Ball was an elite on-ball defender and primary floor general, with his 2020-21 season being a career-best, averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 combined steals-plus-blocks, 55.1% true shooting, and 3.1 triples per game. He previously signed a four-year, $85 million deal.