A serious knee injury has cost Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball a two full seasons of NBA playing time. So how are things looking for him as the Bulls begin the preseason?
Ball had a solid season with the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2020-21 season that earned him a four-year, $85 million contract extension with the Bulls after an offseason trade to Chicago. He went on to play 35 games for the Pelicans before sustaining his injury. Now it appears he is getting closer and closer to returning.
On Tuesday, Bulls head coach Bill Donovan announced that Ball will make his return to the court at some point during this preseason. However, he will not play for them tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
NEWS: Bulls coach Billy Donovan confirms Lonzo Ball is set to make his return during the preseason — his first time back on the court since 2022.
However, he won’t play tonight. pic.twitter.com/nUL4hFiNfo
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) October 8, 2024
The last time the former No. 3 overall pick was on the court, he was averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Through the five NBA seasons he’s played, Ball has averaged 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game.
But Ball is moving forward with what is effectively an entirely new knee. It could be some time before he is able to move around on the court with the same agility that he once had – and that’s assuming he’ll be able to get it all back at all.
The Bulls have made the playoffs only once in the last seven seasons and have only one winning season in the last eight. If Ball is fully recovered and able to give the Bulls double-digit points on a daily basis again, maybe they’ll be able to get over the hump and be a real playoff contender this year.
Will Ball be back to 100-percent this year?