It’s been over two years since Lonzo Ball last played in an NBA game. Persistent knee issues have cast doubt on his career, leaving it uncertain if he will ever take the court again for the Chicago Bulls. However, in a recent interview with TMZ, the 26-year-old guard provided a glimmer of hope for Bulls fans as he continues his recovery from the torn meniscus he suffered in January 2022, which escalated into more severe knee complications.
“Recovery is going well. [Fans can expect] me back on the court. That’s all I want to do,” Ball told TMZ.
The recovery process has been long and grueling for Ball, who hasn’t played since January 14, 2022, when he logged 24 minutes in a 138-96 loss to the Golden State Warriors. After tearing his meniscus 31 months ago, his injury woes spiraled, leading to three surgeries. These included an arthroscopic debridement in March 2022 to remove debris from his knee, and a follow-up surgery in March 2023 to install new cartilage after the original wore down to the point where the bones were grinding against each other.
While Ball remains optimistic about his recovery, it’s still unclear if he’ll be ready for the Bulls’ season opener on October 23 against the New Orleans Pelicans. With just over two months remaining, the big question is whether Ball will be cleared in time for his much-anticipated return.
Lonzo Ball’s injury derailed the Bulls‘ momentum.
The Bulls made bold moves during the 2021 offseason, feeling pressure to compete after trading valuable assets for Nikola Vucevic. They brought in Ball, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso in a single offseason, transforming the team into a legitimate playoff contender. Ball was the perfect complementary player alongside ball-dominant stars like DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Vucevic. His elite court vision, creative passing, perimeter defense, and reliable three-point shooting made him an invaluable piece to the Bulls’ puzzle.
