It's been almost six weeks since Lonzo Ball played in a game.
While sidelined with a sprained left MCL, the No. 2 overall pick watched Julius Randle play his most consistent basketball, Brandon Ingram flourish at point guard for seven games, Kyle Kuzma detonate from time to time, Josh Hart surprisingly rack up double-doubles as a starter and a young core growing and enjoying life together.
"The guys learned how to play without me," Ball recently said. "... They know what works -- pace and defense."
But just as the Lakers were discovering their groove, Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr.