Although Los Angeles Lakers rookie point guard Lonzo Ball has struggled shooting-wise, he is off to an impressive start to his career, averaging 10.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game for the rebuilding club.However, his durability has recently come into question.After missing six-straight games from Christmas until January 3 with a shoulder issue, he has also missed the last seven contests with a minor MCL strain, starting with a January 15th absence against the Memphis Grizzlies.The Lakers have gone 4-3 without him as James Ennis and Jordan Clarkson have split the point guard minutes.On Saturday, the Lakers made it clear that the recovery timetable for such an injury is three weeks, which means that Ball will likely miss the next couple of games as well.But, that timeline might get extended. As Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN pointed out, Ball has not gone through a full practice, but has been shooting, lifting and doing some work on the treadmill. He cannot run yet.Before returning to the starting lineup, coach Luke Walton explained that Ball will have to first go through a full practice."He's feeling better every day," Walton said. "I wouldn't be surprised if within a couple of days, a week, whatever it is, they say he's ready to start practicing again. … But we are still training and approaching it as if it's long-term. We are not making any plans as if he's coming back tomorrow.”

One thing is certain: the Lakers will not rush their point guard of the future back into action.

"He will be back when he is ready to play," Walton explained. "When that is, I can't tell you -- whenever his knee feels good. ... We are not going to rush him back. Once he gets cleared, it will be about getting him back to practice and then seeing how he feels after that.”

"We're still training and approaching it as if it's long-term. ... When he participates in a full practice then it’s all about how he feels the next day. If he feels fine the next day then he can play the next day," the coach said, per Bill Oram of The Ocean County Register.

Without their floor general, the Lakers have adopted a “next man up” mentality, according to Julius Randle.

“It’s next man up,” forward Julius Randle said. “I don’t know if it’s what we are doing better. Everybody is just playing hard, playing together, we need everybody. It may be a big night from somebody and a different guy the next night. Just need everybody locked in. When zo gets back, it will be a plus.”

The Lakers take on the Orlando Magic, Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder to conclude their current road trip. It remains to be seen whether or not Ball will make his return in that span or if it will be closer to the All-Star break.