Bulls guard Lonzo Ball continues to experience pain and discomfort in his surgically repaired left knee and is expected to miss training camp, sources tell Jamal Collier and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN. According to ESPN’s duo, he’s also considered doubtful for the start of the 2022/23 regular season, which begins on October 18.
Ball had surgery in January for a torn meniscus and was originally expected to return before the end of last season. However, a bone bruise interfered with his rehab process, and unfortunately it appears as though it might still be impacting his recovery.
According to ESPN’s duo, Ball has seen “multiple specialists” in an effort to determine the cause of the lingering pain and discomfort, and to seek possible treatments. A source tells Collier and Shelburne that Ball’s knee is “structurally sound,” but he continued to struggle with the knee this summer while rehabbing in Los Angeles.
Ball will be evaluated by team doctors in Chicago next week, per ESPN.
The Bulls have been vague regarding Ball’s status throughout the offseason, with coach Billy Donovan and executive VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas saying that he was “progressing” back in July, but they did concede that his recovery was going slower than they’d hoped, and evidently that’s still the case.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago recently said on the Bulls Talk podcast that the team appeared to be a bit more optimistic about the 24-year-old lately, though he cautioned that the situation remained fluid.
“I’m not saying that means he’s out there opening night. I’m not saying he’s playing all 82,” Johnson said. “What I’m saying is the skepticism that was earlier in the offseason has moved a little bit toward the optimism side.”
It sounds as though Johnson’s report is right on the money, with Ball’s status for the season opener very much in jeopardy.
Ball had a major impact on the Bulls when he was healthy last season, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 42.3% from three-point range and playing strong defense in 35 games (34.6 minutes).
As Collier and Shelburne note, the Bulls were 27-13 when Ball played his last game on January 14, but faltered down the stretch, going just 19-23 the rest of the way before losing their first-round playoff series against Milwaukee.
He’s a talented player but he has never played 70 games in a season. Durability has been his biggest issue. This is just brutal
In todays NBA, 70 is the best case scenario for a shocking amount of starters. Hope he can get healthy while the Bulls window is cracked.
Neither has lebron
Laughing
The Dragic era starts now….lol we are f****d
You can have Levert for him whenever you want. I’d take 35 Lonzo games over 55 Levert ones any day.
Dragic, White, Ayo, Derozan and Lavine can all handle the ball
Already had surgery. Still can’t shake the pain???
What is the Bulls squeal point on a rebuild???
What is DeMar DeRozan’s value on the open market? Lakers 2027 and 2029 picks enough for a trade deadline deal to get the last 1.5 years of DeRozan’s contract.
Not even close
yikes the bulls dumpster fire continues
Lonzo Ball games played in every season:
2017-18: 52
2018-19: 47
2019-20: 63
2020-21: 55
2021-22: 35
Poor guy
Looks like lebron games played numbers. No more pride in 82 games
This guy is made of GLASS!
Wow Derrick Rose reincarnated!
Time for #2 pick in the draft. To bring it. Bulls need an all star Lonzo to contend. Time is now for Lonzo Ball. Bulls can contend with a big yr from Lonzo.
“Magic Johnson says Lonzo Ball ‘has greatness written all over him’
link to abcnews.go.com
Ill start as Im saying Im not doctor (or GM), but this knee thing has been going on forever, with the continual message of ‘no damage’, and ‘wait and see’. I think its safe to say there has to be some damage if there is pain or nerve issues or whatever in which case why aren’t the Bulls cutting bait on this guy?
The reason for the concern is Reinsdorf run orgs tend to let a lot of guys sit on the bench shining it with their butts all while paying them to do it.
This guy is so brittle