Lakers coach Luke Walton says Lonzo Ball is out through All-Star break

Michael Singer | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Why LaVar Ball's idea of Lakers signing all three sons is lunacy SportsPulse: While some of LaVar Ball's claims have come true in the past, this one might be pretty lofty.

Lonzo Ball returned to practice on Tuesday and absorbed his first contact in weeks since spraining his MCL, but he won’t play until after the All-Star break.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton said Ball will miss the team’s next two games leading into the All-Star break, meaning he'll miss Friday night's Rising Stars game he was scheduled to play in. Sacramento Kings rookie PG De'Aaron Fox is his replacement.

Ball was initially injured on Jan. 13, and coupled with Wednesday’s game vs. New Orleans and Thursday’s game vs. Minnesota, he will have missed 15 in total from the MCL injury before the Lakers play again on Feb. 23.

Love at first whistle: Married NBA referees balance love and basketball

NBA MVP rankings: Is DeMar DeRozan a legitimate candidate?

NBA rookie power rankings: Utah's Donovan Mitchell taking the league by storm

"We are not going to play him tomorrow," Walton told reporters. "With a back-to-back and a week off after that, the progress is great but it just doesn't make sense to risk it right now.

"There was some contact (in practice), which is the first time he has really done that," Walton added. "It wasn't up-and-down, fullcourt scrimmaging, but it was halfcourt defensive drills with guys getting after it. He looked good, but there is still a little discomfort."