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Pelinka: Lonzo fully cleared, but not guaranteed to play opening night

Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Lonzo Ball's recovery from offseason surgery is right on schedule, but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be good to go for the Los Angeles Lakers' season opener on Oct. 18.

The 20-year-old has been 100 percent cleared to return to full basketball activity and will take part in training camp, general manager Rob Pelinka told reporters Thursday, according to Spectrum SportsNet's Mike Bresnahan.

However, Pelinka isn't positive the Lakers' young floor general will be available for the team's season-opening contest against the Portland Trail Blazers.

"It's impossible to predict the future when you're coming back from injury," he said, per Bresnahan.

Ball will initially be held out of five-on-five drills, as head coach Luke Walton said earlier this week, as the team doesn't want to rush him back from injury.

The sophomore point guard underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on July 17 with the expectation being that he'd make a full recovery by the start of camp. He'll compete with Rajon Rondo to be named the team's starting point guard.

Related: Why Lonzo and LeBron will fit better than you think

Ball averaged 10.2 points, 7.2 assists, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals on 36 percent shooting across 52 appearances for the 35-win Lakers last season. He was named a member of the NBA All-Rookie second team for his efforts.

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