Luke Walton Jokes He Subbed Lonzo Ball Early Due to LaVar 'Talking S--t'

Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton apparently still has a sense of humor regarding the LaVar Ball saga.

Lonzo Ball was taken out in the first quarter of a blowout win over the Atlanta Hawks Sunday night, and Walton joked about the reasoning after the game.

"His dad was talking s--t so I took him out early," the coach said, per Southern California News Group's Bill Oram (NSFW language).

Walton is referring to an interview from Lithuania that was released earlier Sunday in which LaVar ripped the Lakers coach.

"Luke doesn't have control of the team no more," Lonzo's father said, per Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com. "They don't want to play for him."

Ball continued with his analysis that Walton isn't the right guy for the job.

"Even if you bring in a LeBron or a [Paul] George, he can't coach them guys," he said. "What is he gonna tell them? He's too young. He has no control."

Walton didn't seem to mind the trash talk, saying he's "fine with it," per Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.

The Lakers also responded positively despite the controversy surrounding the team Sunday, snapping a nine-game losing streak with a 132-113 win over the Hawks. Lonzo Ball finished with 13 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in his second game back from his shoulder injury.

The rookie played 30 minutes in the win, tied for the most on the team, so there should be no real controversy over playing time.

While one win over the NBA's worst team won't turn around the season, Walton at least seems to be in good spirits.