Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball returns after six-game absence

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo Ballreturn against Charlotte on Friday night from a shoulder injury.

Ball started despite his left shoulder still feeling sore and not being at 100 percent. The No. 2 overall pick has missed six straight games since getting tangled up with Portland's Jusuf Nurkic on Dec. 23.

Ball, who isn't sure how his shoulder will be impacted by physical contact that comes with playing in a game, said he doesn't feel added pressure to stop the Lakers' eight-game losing streak.

The Lakers need Ball to increase their pace and bolster their declining defense.

"The pressure has been on me since I have been here, so I will look at it the same way," said Ball, who is averaging 10 points, 7.1 assists, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks. "Numbers don't lie. It's been proven that we play a lot better when we are faster and that is what I bring to the table. Hopefully it helps out."

The Lakers (11-26) have lost eight straight games and 11 of their last 12 overall. The team was trounced 133-96 by the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday. That came after an 18-point loss at Minnesota on New Year's Day.

Head coach Luke Walton was asked if he feels like his job is in jeopardy, despite majority owner Jeanie Buss tweeting support for him on New Year's Eve with the hashtag "InLukeWeTrust."

"No, I coach as if it's not," Walton said. "As I preach to my players that control what you can control in life, that has to be my philosophy as a coach as well."

Walton's team is finally starting to get healthier. Center Brook Lopez returned last game following an eight-game absence due to a sprained ankle and Ball is back.

"[Team president Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka] have been great, they have been supportive," Walton said. "They obviously understand where we are at as a team and what we are trying to do and what the big picture is. ... [Buss] has been incredible. I've talked with her a lot during the season. She has been around this game for a long time. She knows when to be supportive and she has been really great to work with."