2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 9 power rankings

7. Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles Lakers

Last rank: No. 8 (↑1)

The Los Angeles Lakers have lost two games in a row but rookie point guard Lonzo Ball has made his fair share of improvements going forward. On Thursday night, Ball put up 13 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds in a 121-112 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He shot 5-of-11 (45.5 percent) from the floor and 3-of-8 (35.8) from 3-point range in the game — drastic improvements from his season averages of 33.2 percent and 26.5 percent, respectively.

Ball and company fell short against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night, but he asserted himself in that game as well. He put up 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists on 6-of-13 shooting from the floor and 3-of-6 shooting from the 3-point line.

It looks as though Ball is beginning to find his shooting touch that made him difficult to guard at UCLA. Now that he’s beginning to figure things out, look for the Lakers to do more than just lose close games. They have a long break before facing the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.