Lakers back Lonzo after Gortat says Wall will 'torture him' on court

Lonzo Ball can stand on his own two feet, but as opposing guards around the Association target him during games, the 19-year-old rookie can rest assured that he'll have the support of his Los Angeles Lakers teammates no matter what happens.

After LaVar Ball said the Washington Wizards "better beware" in their Wednesday night meeting with the Lakers because Lonzo "ain't losing again," center Marcin Gortat tweeted that his teammate, John Wall, would torment LaVar's son from the opening tip to the final buzzer.

"The competitor in Lonzo, of course he didn't take it (Gortat's tweet) so well. With his teammates behind him, we didn't take it so well. We've just got to go and compete," Ball's teammate Brandon Ingram said Tuesday. "Of course everyone's gonna try to attack him because of who he is and what he does on the basketball floor. All we can do is have his back."

Three games into Lonzo's tenure with the Lakers, his overall performance has had both extreme highs and major lows. He's averaging a near triple-double of 13.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 8.7 assists, but is shooting just 34.8 percent from the field on 15.3 attempts, and is turning the rock over 3.7 times.

Defensive specialist Patrick Beverley sought to intimidate Lonzo in their opening-night matchup, and even taunted him afterward. Wall is also an elite defender who won't take it easy on the UCLA alumnus. Regardless, Lonzo will face the challenge head on, knowing the Lakers are in his corner.

"I already know my teammates got my back, so we're going to go out there, go play, and hopefully get a win," he said.