Lakers' Lonzo Ball: Can't test knee sprain until swelling down

MEMPHIS -- Lonzo Ball's swollen left knee kept him out of Monday's game atMemphis, and the Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard says he will not be able to test it until the swelling goes down.

Ball said he can't run on his minor knee sprain but hopes to return soon. The Lakers, playing without Ball and forward Brandon Ingram (sprained ankle), had their four-game winning streak snapped by Memphis 123-114. They next play atOklahoma Cityon Wednesday.

"I know my body the best," Ball said. "So as long as I can run, that is pretty much all I need. So as soon as I can run and the swelling goes down a little bit, then I should be ready to go."

Lakers coach Luke Walton said Ball and Ingram are considered day-to-day. Ingram tried to test his sprained ankle before the team held him out. Ball said he initially felt something in his left knee in overtime of the Lakers' win inDallason Saturday but that the discomfort went away. Ball played 43 minutes during the 107-101 overtime win.

When he woke up on Sunday morning, Ball said he "could barely walk." The No. 2 overall pick underwent an MRI that showed a minor knee sprain.

"It kind of went away after a play, so I thought I was cool," Ball said. "Throughout the day I thought I was fine. Then I woke up the next morning and I could barely walk. We got the MRI. Thankfully it is just a sprained knee. I should be back soon."

Ball is uncertain about whether he can test the knee on Tuesday in a scheduled practice at Oklahoma City. He said all he was able to do on Monday was treatment and some walking in a pool.

"Yesterday was definitely the worst," Ball said. "It is getting better. Obviously still couldn't play today. So just got to ramp up the treatment and get well soon."

"If it is [feeling] like today, probably not," he added of trying to test the knee Tuesday. "But if it is a little better when I wake up, then yeah."

The Lakers, who dropped to 0-7 when Ball is out, signed point guard Gary PaytonII, who was withMilwaukeeearlier this season, to a two-way contract.

Ball missed six games a few weeks ago due to a strained left shoulder. He has averaged 11.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.6 steals in the five games he has played following the shoulder injury. Entering Monday, the Lakers had won four straight with Ball playing some of his most consistent basketball of the season.

"Obviously I want to play, any chance I can," Ball said when asked about fans who came out to see him in Memphis. "It is my job, I love putting on a show for people, and it is hard to sit back here and watch the game. Got to stay positive and try to get back as fast as I can."