Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is set to play in a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Lonzo’s Long-Awaited Return:
It’s been a whopping 1,006 days since Lonzo last played an NBA game due to ongoing knee issues. After missing two entire seasons, he’s finally coming back after undergoing cartilage transplant surgery. A tweet from Shams Charania confirms this major comeback:
After missing two straight NBA seasons, Chicagoโs 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.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania)
Upcoming Games and Expectations:
According to Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, the Bulls hope Lonzo can participate in their last two preseason games. This includes Fridayโs home exhibition finale. The regular season kicks off for Chicago on October 23 against the New Orleans Pelicans, one of Lonzo’s old teams.
He was fully involved in training camp but missed the first preseason game against Cleveland because he was sick with COVID-19. Coach Billy Donovan praised his determination and said his timing on the court is improving.
Donovan on Ball: โHeโs done really, really well. Heโs been out there and heโs played. And heโs been effective playing. I think his timingโs coming back.โ
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry)
Fans are really excited to see him back on the court!
Past Challenges and Achievements:
Back when Lonzo’s knee troubles began in January 2022, it was initially thought he’d be out for six-to-eight weeks. During that time, he was having a standout season with career highs in steals (1.8 per game), minutes (34.6 per game), shooting percentage (42.3%), and three-point percentage (42.3%). He also led his team in assists and was second in rebounds.
Lonzo joined Chicago through a trade with the Pelicans in August 2021 after starting his career with two years at the Lakers and then spending another two years playing for New Orleans.
Basketball can be unpredictable like life itself; sometimes you just have to roll with it!
