The news on Lonzo Ball’s sprained left knee wasn’t good enough to get him in the Los Angeles Lakers’ Sunday matinee against the New York Knicks at Staples Center. But according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, the rookie out of UCLA is “feeling better”—enough so that head coach Luke Walton “expects” his young point guard to join the team on its upcoming five-game road trip.

The implication, it seems, is that Ball won’t be ready for Tuesday’s game against the Boston Celtics at Staples Center. That determination may have to wait until the Lakers practice on Monday.

Still, count that as a step in the right direction for the Crown Prince of Chino Hills in his recovery from his latest injury.