Ball is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Hawks.
Ball made his first start as a Cavalier on Friday and performed well, but he'll shift back to the bench with Donovan Mitchell (hamstring) returning from a one-game absence. The UCLA product should still play plenty off the bench, having logged at least 22 minutes in all five of his appearances this season.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Five dimes in first start of 2025
Rotowire
Ball tallied eight points (3-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five assists, five rebounds and one steal over 26 minutes during Cleveland's 112-101 loss to Toronto on Friday.
Ball made his first start of the regular season Friday due to the absences of Donovan Mitchell (hamstring), Darius Garland (toe) and Sam Merrill (hip). Ball scored all eight of his points in the third quarter as he took a back seat offensively to Evan Mobley (29 points), De'Andre Hunter (26) and Jaylon Tyson (18). While Ball isn't known for his scoring, he has registered at least five assists in each of his five outings this season. He would likely return to the bench if Mitchell and Garland were to return Sunday against the Hawks.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Starting Friday
Rotowire
Ball will start in Friday's game against the Raptors, Serena Winters of FanDuel Sports Network Ohio reports.
With Donovan Mitchell (hamstring), Darius Garland (toe) and Sam Merrill (hip) all sidelined, Ball will get the starting nod for the first time this season. The Cavaliers have been cautious with the 28-year-old point guard's playing time due to his extensive injury history, and he'll remain on a minutes restriction Friday, according to Ethan Sands of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Over four regular-season games, Ball has averaged 4.8 points, 6.0 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Off report for Wednesday
Rotowire
Ball (injury management) is off the Cavaliers' injury report for Wednesday's game against the Celtics.
Ball sat out Monday's win over Detroit -- the second game of a back-to-back set -- but is set to return to action against Boston. Through three regular-season appearances, the 28-year-old guard is averaging 5.3 points, 6.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 23.0 minutes per game.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Will rest Monday
Rotowire
Ball (injury management) will not play Monday against the Pistons.
Monday's game is the second leg of a back-to-back set, and Ball has not been cleared to play in both games of these. That's likely to remain the case indefinitely. Ball looked sharp Sunday, as he produced 11 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-3 FT), six rebounds, five assists and one steal over 23 minutes during the 118-113 win over the Bucks.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Looks sharp off bench
Rotowire
Ball chipped in 11 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 1-3 FT), six rebounds, five assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Sunday's 118-113 win over the Bucks.
For the third game in a row, Ball saw a workload of 23 minutes, and that's a few minutes more than what coach Kenny Atkinson mentioned prior to Opening Night that he would like the guard to play. Sunday's game featured Ball's best performance by far to date, but he's shooting 27.8 percent from the field through three games, which suggests he's due for some positive regression with his jumper.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Hands out six assists in loss
Rotowire
Ball scored three points (1-7 FG, 1-7 3Pt) and added four rebounds and six assists over 23 minutes in Wednesday's 119-111 loss to the Knicks.
Ball came off the bench and led the team in assists, but his four turnovers were a little concerning. Despite Darius Garland (toe) out to start the regular season, it appears the Cavs rolled with Donovan Mitchell and Sam Merrill as the team's primary backcourt, with Ball serving as the main facilitator among the second unit.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Dishes out nine assists in win
Rotowire
Ball (rest) posted nine points (5-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 3-4 FT), nine assists, four rebounds and three blocks across 20 minutes in Tuesday's 118-100 preseason win over Detroit.
Ball returned to action after sitting out Sunday's loss to the Celtics due to rest purposes. The 27-year-old guard led all players in assists and tied the game-high mark in blocks Tuesday. Ball is expected to be limited to 20 minutes per contest to begin the regular season and won't appear in both games of back-to-back sets.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Does not play Sunday
Rotowire
Ball (rest) did not suit up for Sunday's 138-107 preseason loss to the Celtics.
Kenny Atkinson decided to give some of his veterans Sunday off for rest purposes. Ball's final chance to suit up during the preseason will come Tuesday against the Pistons.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Quiet in 12 minutes
Rotowire
Ball finished scoreless (0-4 FG, 0-3 3Pt) with one assist in 12 minutes in Tuesday's 118-117 preseason loss to the Bulls.
Ball came off the bench Tuesday with Donovan Mitchell running the point. Ball has said that he's going to be limited to around 20 minutes per night to open the season and that he won't play in both games of back-to-back sets, so his fantasy upside will be held in check even in the absence of Darius Garland (toe).
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Coming off bench Tuesday
Rotowire
Ball will come off the bench in Tuesday's preseason game against the Bulls, Spencer Davies of SI.com reports.
Despite Darius Garland (toe) and Sam Merrill (undisclosed) being sidelined, Ball will join the second unit in Cleveland's preseason opener against his former team. The 27-year-old point guard is expected to be limited to 20 minutes per contest to begin the regular season and won't appear in both games of back-to-back sets.
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Cavaliers' Lonzo Ball: Expects to see around 20 minutes
Rotowire
Ball said Monday that he's expecting to see about 20 minutes per night to open the season, according to Cavaliers reporter Danny Cunningham.
Additionally, Ball said that playing in both games of back-to-back sets will be "off the table" to begin the season. This makes a lot of sense given Ball's injury history. Ball is expected to start on Opening Night in the absence of Darius Garland (toe), but expectations as far as fantasy impact goes should be tempered.
Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said Tuesday that Ball (wrist) "looked great" at a workout Monday, Danny Cunningham reports.
Ball missed Chicago's final 22 regular-season games due to a sprained right wrist, but he was reportedly good to go for the majority of the offseason. Atkinson raved about Cleveland's decision to trade for Ball this summer, but he said the team will need to have a plan in place to make sure he's healthy for the playoffs. As things currently stand, Ball could be the starting point guard for Opening Night, with Darius Garland (toe) sidelined for the start of the season.
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