The Cleveland Cavaliers were able to get out of their rut for a moment in their win against the San Antonio Spurs, and besides them bringing more effort, there was something else different. Lonzo Ball was listed as DNP, as the backup point guard had played in almost all the games so far this season.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson has mixed and matched the lineups over the past few weeks in hopes of finding more consistency, and not playing Ball could have been one of those moves. After their game against the Cavs, he shared that he just wanted to give Ball rest, according to Spencer Davies of ClutchPoints.
“We wanted to look at some different combinations, but also, with ‘Zo, I just have a big picture thing,” Atkinson said. “Just keeping him healthy and fresh. It was kinda two-fold, the reason. I spoke to him. We need him healthy and available, and he has been so far, but I want to keep that going. I know we don’t have back-to-backs, but we’re playing every other day. So at a certain point, I need to find him some games [to rest].
“I talked to him about it, and it just happened to fall on [Monday].”
It looks like it was more precautionary than anything else for Ball, which means that he should be back in the rotation soon. At the same time, if Atkinson liked what he saw from the group he played with, he may not change things for a while unless he has to.
The Cavs have been looking to find that same spark that helped them become one of the top teams in the league last season, but it’s been a battle so far. Injuries and inconsistent play are two of the reasons for where they are right now, and the hope for them is that they can find some momentum.