Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has undergone three arthroscopic procedures on his left knee since his last NBA game in January of 2022. With so much to overcome, Ball describes himself as “full of joy” to be returning to the court for tonight’s preseason contest with Minnesota, writes Jamal Collier of ESPN.
“I think it’s the belief in myself — knowing what I was feeling, knowing that I was a good age to come back from it,” Ball said. “I’m just trusting in the doctors and people around me.”
Ball added that he never lost confidence in his ability to make a comeback, even though he had to consult with numerous knee specialists along the way. He received medical clearance to participate in five-on-five scrimmages in August and showed up a few weeks before training camp to work out with his teammates. He experienced some soreness in the knee, but no major setbacks, and the Bulls’ medical staff has developed a plan to regulate his workload as he gets used to playing an NBA schedule again. Ball will be limited to 16 minutes in tonight’s contest.
“It’s not the same body I started off with,” he said. “But I think I can still be productive and effective on the court. That’s why I’m still trying to play.”
There’s more from the Central Division:
- Josh Giddey is eligible for a rookie scale extension through Monday, but the Bulls will likely wait to see what he does this season before making a long-term commitment, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Giddey is off to a strong start in his first preseason with Chicago — averaging 11.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and five assists in just less than 23 minutes per night — but Cowley believes the Bulls want some evidence that they can build a title contender around Giddey and they’re more likely to wait and deal with him as a restricted free agent next summer.
- Gary Trent Jr. looks ready to become the Bucks‘ next successful shooting guard, observes Eric Nehm of The Athletic. Several shooters have benefitted from the open space that comes from playing alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, and coach Doc Rivers is urging Trent to be ready to fire away. “If you have an open look, put it up,” Trent replied when asked about Rivers’ advice. “He communicated that to me and everybody on the team as well. Everybody has a certain green light, obviously with a certain amount of control and a certain thinking process, but other than that, it’s free flowing. Telling you to go out there, play hard, let it fly and let it fly. Just make sure it’s a good shot.”
- Cole Swider seems like a good bet to make the Pacers‘ roster after Kendall Brown was waived Tuesday, but it’s not certain that he’ll receive a standard contract, per Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star. Indiana could decide to open up a two-way slot for Swider, who is in camp on a non-guaranteed deal.