Bulls fans have been waiting for the return of Lonzo Ball all season. Unfortunately for them, it looks like they’ll have to keep waiting even longer, as it was announced that the man won’t be making his return to action this season. Ball has reportedly been making consistent progress in his return from his knee injury, but it looks like it won’t be enough to get him back on the court any time soon with his teammates.
“Despite making significant increases in strength and function over the past several months, Ball continues to experience performance limiting discomfort during participation in high level basketball-related activities,” Bulls VP Arturas Karnisovas said in a team statement. “Considering the required time period to achieve the necessary level of fitness to return-to-play and the current stage of the NBA season, Ball will not return this season. The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season.”
Ball hasn’t appeared in a game since Jan. 14, 2022, when he suffered a torn meniscus in his knee against the Golden State Warriors. Crazy part is, the man was originally projected to miss six to eight weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery. His impact on the court can’t be understated, as the team record with him vs without him is almost night and day. Last season, the Bulls went 19-23 over their final 42 regular-season games without him, making the playoffs as the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference before losing in the first round to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.
This is an unfortunate setback, as the Bulls are currently sitting #11 in the Eastern Conference with a record of 26-33 (.441). The Bulls are only three games out of eighth place in the conference, which is currently held by the Atlanta Hawks. Ball reportedly signed a four-year, $80 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade deal to join the Bulls in August 2021.
Flip the page for reports that Ball’s season might be over.
