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Chicago Bulls’ Lonzo Ball Is Set to Make His Long-Awaited Return
The Guard Has Not Played an NBA Game Since January 2022 Due to a Major Knee Injury
Windy City Pumped Up To Watch Ball Play Ball
There was big NBA news on Monday, especially if you are a Chicago Bulls fan. There will be NBA games as the preseason continues this week and the Chicago Bulls expect to have star guard Lonzo Ball back on the court for the first time since Jan. 14, 2022. Reports indicate he could play in a home game on Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ball has been sidelined with knee injuries that led to multiple procedures, eventually winding up with a double cartilage transplant.
After missing two straight NBA seasons, Chicago’s Lonzo Ball is expected to make return to basketball on Wednesday vs. Minnesota, sources told ESPN. A major comeback from cartilage transplant surgery for Ball, who last played Jan. 14, 2022. pic.twitter.com/tuJCF4GYQW
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 14, 2024
Scary Times for Ball
Ball was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017 and played two seasons for them before moving on to the New Orleans Pelicans. He then shuttled to the Chicago Bulls.
Lonzo Ball’s stats have seen him never play in more than 63 games in any NBA season. He has never averaged 35 minutes per game. He was good for almost 12 points per game with six rebounds and six assists.
A unique talent that the Bulls hope will be close to his former self when he returns to the court. We’re sure Billy Donovan will work him back into the rotation slowly to build up his physicality and endurance.
Lonzo Ball will make his return this week after over 1,000 days
This is what the NBA looked like the last time he played:
◼️ Melo & Westbrook were in LA
◼️ D Mitch was in Utah
◼️ Kyrie, KD & Harden were in Brooklyn
◼️ Ben Simmons actually played
◼️ Bulls were 1st in the EC pic.twitter.com/x32w8R09Ui— Frank Michael Smith (@frankmikesmith) October 14, 2024
This is the final season of Lonzo Ball’s contract that he signed with the Bulls in 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade with the Pelicans. He is on the books for $21.4 million this season and would be a free agent after it concludes.
Talk about a contract year. A lot is on the line for the 6-foot-6 guard and his team.
The Bulls Need Ball
Chicago has missed the playoffs and finished below .500 in the seasons sans Ball. This is a franchise that enjoyed immense success with Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and others but has not won a championship since Air Jordan exited.
While Ball’s return won’t turn the Bulls into a championship contender it could help them become a playoff threat in the East. They have finished in 10th and 9th place in the past two seasons without him.
Lonzo Ball on himself before Covid-19 shut the league down in 2019-20:
“Every time I catch my stride, something goes wrong. That month before Covid, if you ask me, I think I’m the best point guard in the league.”
Lonzo in 5 games before the shutdown: 20.8 PPG, 7.8 APG, 7.8… pic.twitter.com/KYXZ1JBFAY
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) August 20, 2024
The Bulls’ roster is stacked with guards. Zach LaVine’s name seems to be in NBA rumors about a trade on an annual basis. If Ball can give the Bulls significant minutes and play the way he did before the knee injuries shelved him, it will be interesting to see if the team is able to wheel and deal to strengthen other positions.
