Lakers News: Lonzo Ball Out at Least 2 More Games with Knee Injury

Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball will be sidelined for the next two games as he continues to recover from a sprained MCL.

"Zo will not play on this trip," head coach Luke Walton told reporters Thursday. "Today was our last real practice. Saturday will be a shootaround. He will not play before he practices. He's out until at least 'til we get home." 

The Lakers will close out their five-game road trip with clashes against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday and Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. 

Ball has missed eight straight games dating back to Jan. 15. 

The Lakers have gone 4-4 during that stretch and are currently in the midst of a two-game losing streak following Wednesday's 127-105 defeat at the hands of the Orlando Magic. 

So far this season, the Lakers have been outscored by a team-high 5.6 points per 100 possessions with Ball on the bench, according to NBA.com's lineup data. By comparison, L.A. has been outscored by just 1.2 points per 100 possessions with Ball on the floor. 

After Sunday's game against the Thunder, the Lakers will head back to the west coast as they prepare for a tilt against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.