The Chicago Bulls are in first place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 28-15, but they have faced plenty of adversity during the 2021-22 NBA season. They have not been able to catch a break this season when it comes to players being in and out of the lineup.
Starting power forward Patrick Williams injured his wrist early in the season and is likely sidelined for at least the duration of the regular season. Alex Caruso missed a month of action because of an injury.
Chicago also faced one of the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in the NBA. They had a few games postponed because they were unable to field eight players to participate in the game.
Despite all of that, they have found plenty of success on the court. Now, they will have to band together again, as they are going to be missing starting point guard Lonzo Ball for the foreseeable future.
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Ball has missed three consecutive games with what the team originally called a bone bruise. He was already ruled out for the upcoming three-game road trip, but he could miss many more games following that.
The team and Ball are deciding whether or not he will undergo surgery, which would keep him sidelined for at least 4-to-6 weeks. That would be a tough blow for the team to overcome as Ball is having an excellent season, his first with the Chicago Bulls.
Head coach Billy Donovan said that Ball has changed the treatment that he is undergoing for his knee. How he responds to that treatment will dictate what step is taken next in his recovery.
“We haven’t gotten to that point,” Donovan said; when asked if surgery was an option. “I think the biggest thing right now is what are the steps that we can do to get him back and get him healthy.”
Ball is averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game. He is knocking down 42.3 percent of his 3-point attempts as he has turned himself into an excellent shooter after some struggles to begin his season.
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Without him in the lineup, DeMar DeRozan could take over more of a playmaking role. It was something he excelled at last season with the San Antonio Spurs when he averaged a career-high 6.9 assists per game.
Rookie Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White will see their roles expand with Lonzo Ball out of the lineup. Ball’s injury could not have come at a worse time, as the Chicago Bulls are already without Zach LaVine for their upcoming three-game road trip as well.
