The Chicago Bulls were hoping that they would be back to full strength heading into the 2022-23 season. When they had their regular starting lineup last season, they were among the best teams in the NBA. But, once point guard Lonzo Ball went down with a knee injury, things began unraveling.
Chicago went 22-13 with Ball in the lineup as he provided the team with elite playmaking and excellent defense. He was a perfect complement to score-first players in Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan to help get them into position to score easy baskets.
He eventually underwent surgery on his meniscus and was given a 4-6 week timetable to return to the court. Unfortunately, he played his final game of the season on January 14th as his knee never responded positively and he was unable to get back to a level to return to the court.
More than nine months later, Ball is still struggling with his ailing knee. While his teammates are getting things started in training camp, Ball is back in Los Angeles, preparing for another surgery on his knee.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonzo Ball & Chicago Bulls Updates
Things have not progressed as Ball or the team would have wanted. During a zoom meeting with reporters, he revealed that he still cannot play basketball because he cannot run or jump. It sounds as if things are rather serious as just doing everyday activities, such as up and down stairs, is painful for him.
“I still can’t play basketball,” Ball said. “I can’t run or jump. It’s every day. Even going up stairs and stuff, it’s still painful.”
“There was a point where we would warm up and stuff, and I would go through certain days and it would be fine,” Ball said during a video call with reporters on Tuesday. “Then whenever I got to real basketball activities, I just couldn’t do it. Unfortunately, this is what’s at hand and has to be dealt with. We feel like surgery, again, is the best option.”
This is already the third surgery that Ball will be undergoing on his knee since entering the NBA. The first came in 2018 when he was with the Los Angeles Lakers. While he is set to be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks after this most recent procedure, no one is putting a timetable on when he could return to the court.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonzo Ball & Chicago Bulls Updates
Right now, however, missing the entire season isn’t something that Ball is even thinking about. That would be a worst-case scenario according to the former UCLA product.
“This will be my third surgery, so I don’t really want to rush anything. … (missing the whole season) is not in my mind right now,” Ball said. “That would be the worst-case scenario.”
While Ball doesn’t believe this will be a season-long injury, head coach Billy Donovan is taking a different approach. He has to be prepared for anything thrown at him, including the possibility of Ball not getting on the court this season: “I think you have to,” Donovan said.
Without a clear understanding of what he is dealing with, as Ball called the situation unique, everything is on the table. While the Bulls would obviously love to get him back on the court as soon as possible, they have to make sure to not rush things.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Lonzo Ball & Chicago Bulls Updates
His inability to do everyday activities without pain is certainly concerning, especially since the injury occurred in January. Approaching 10 months later with no concrete evidence of what is wrong, patience will have to be shown by all parties.
