After leaving practice early with a stomach virus on Tuesday, Lonzo Ball was downgraded to questionable on Wednesday morning. Ball and the Pelicans are slated to welcome Anthony Davis back to New Orleans for the first time since being dealt to Los Angeles over the summer.
Wednesday’s contest will certainly be the most emotional contest of the season for the Pelicans with Davis’ return set to cause a likely visceral reaction from the fans. Ball’s lack of availability, though, would be a setback for New Orleans.
Derrick Favors is officially out due to personal reasons tonight, per the Pelicans. Lonzo Ball was downgraded to questionable with a stomach virus.
— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) November 27, 2019
Ball only recently returned to the lineup with mixed results in recent games. After a strong return against Phoenix, Ball and the entire team struggled against the Clippers in a blowout loss.
Derrick Favors’ absence will also be a big setback for a Pelicans squad that has struggled to defend the rim this season. New Orleans ranks 16th in field goal percentage at the rim while giving up the fourth-most attempts at the rim. The Lakers, meanwhile, attempt the fifth-most shots at the rim and have the second-best percentage.
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