LaVar Ball Warns Washington Wizards, Says 'Lonzo Wont Lose Again'

In a post-game interview after the New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday, LaVar Ball declared that his son Lonzo Ball won’t lose in the upcoming game versus the Washington Wizards and that the team should be worried. His comments sparked a backlash from the team’s big man Marcin Gortat.

While evaluating his son’s third game, LaVar Ball made it clear what he thought about his son’s upcoming game against the Wizards.

"Washington coming in here Wednesday, they better beware cause Lonzo ain't losing again," Ball told reporters after the game. "Not in the same week!"

Gortat disagreed and promptly responded to LaVar Ball via Twitter on Monday by stating that Wizards star point guard John Wall will cause problems for Lonzo Ball.

"man..... pleaseeeeee!!! @JohnWall will torture him for 48min," he wrote.

The Wizards big man later replied to one user who cited the pressure that LaVar Ball puts on his oldest son as "unbelievable," adding: "He will kill his son one day."

If the Wizards win Monday’s game against the Denver Nuggets, they will be shooting for their first 4-0 start since 1978 heading into Wednesday’s game versus the Lakers.

Lonzo Ball, 19, who the Lakers selected with their No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, is averaging 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game, amid the team’s 1-3 start.

Based on the first three games, Lonzo Ball currently tops all rookies with his 8.7 assists per game and is fifth among all guards in the league.

However, the rookie guard struggled in his career debut, putting up just three points on 1 for 6 shooting. L.A. Clippers guard Patrick Beverly caused havoc for the 19-year-old, hounding his defense for much of the contest. Beverly cited LaVar Ball as to why he played hard against Lonzo Ball.

"I just had to set the tone, man," Beverley told USA Today after Thursday's game. "I told him after the game man, [that] due to all the riffraff his dad brings, he’s going to get a lot of people coming at him. He has to be ready for that, and I let him know after the game. What a better way to start off, just 94 feet guarding him tonight, welcome his little, young [rear end] to the NBA."

Wall has averaged 27 points and nine assists amid the Wizards’ two wins start the season. In a Sunday interview with NBC Sports Washington’s Chase Hughes, he discussed the extra pressure that LaVar Ball’s comments added to Lonzo Ball this season.

"I think his dad put him in a situation where guys are going to target him," Wall said on the Wizards Tipoff podcast, regarding LaVar Ball. "Lonzo is one of those kids that is very talented. He's been a good player for years, he just don't say much. I think his dad does all the talking for him."

Wall, a former No. 1 draft pick, suggested that Lonzo Ball will be unaffected by the scrutiny if he is consistent on the basketball court.

"It’s not the son’s fault," Wall said. "He went back out there and had a better game [on Friday], and that’s all he got to do, is go out there and play. He’s not going to do any talking anyway. Even if he gets killed, or don’t get killed, or kills somebody, he’s not going to be the guy talking. He’s a great kid from what I’ve seen on the outside looking in; I haven’t met him personally."