Lonzo Ball hasn’t played an NBA game since the 2021-22 season, but by the looks of it, his return to the Chicago Bulls is coming closer day by day.
Ball still won’t be able to play this 2023-24 season, but based on the latest updates, there remains optimism that he can come back at some point in the 2024-25 campaign.
Lonzo Ball’s Injury Status With Chicago Bulls
![Chicago Bulls' Forgotten Star Takes Big Step in Return From 2-Year Absence 1 Chicago Bulls, Lonzo Ball](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_21554829_168400517_lowres-689x1024.jpg)
Ball has been dealing with recurring knee problems over the last two years. It started with a small meniscus tear in his left knee that needed surgery. And while he underwent a procedure, his knee problems has continued to persist.
The veteran playmaker has since needed a couple more surgeries to repair his knee. Now, he’s rehabbing and on track to resume his once promising NBA career.
On Saturday before their showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan shared an update on Ball’s recovery from the injury and his surgeries, noting that the feedback from the team’s medical staff has been positive.
Donovan also revealed that Ball is now able to run and make cuts as he takes the next step in his recovery. The goal for him now is to be able to to 5-on-5 scrimmages by summer, although there is no specific date for that.
“Some of the workouts have been really positive as far as running cutting, jumping, doing those things. So he’s progressed into that and responded well,” Donovan said of Ball, via Julia Poe of Chicago Tribune.
“He’s cutting and running and doing some of that stuff now, obviously it’s all controlled, there’s no contact, but he is doing running and things like that.”
![Chicago Bulls' Forgotten Star Takes Big Step in Return From 2-Year Absence 2 Chicago Bulls, Lonzo Ball](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_17490408_168400517_lowres-768x1024.jpg)
For what it’s worth, Ball also attended the Bulls’ meeting with the Clippers and was seen laughing with his teammates, which is a good sign. While it has definitely been a tough past couple of years for him, it looks like he remains in a good place mentally.
Lonzo Ball’s Chicago Bulls Career
![Chicago Bulls' Forgotten Star Takes Big Step in Return From 2-Year Absence 3 Chicago Bulls, Lonzo Ball](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_17387721_168400517_lowres-683x1024.jpg)
When the Chicago Bulls acquired Lonzo Ball back in 2021 in a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, there were high hopes and expectations that he would be the team’s point guard of the future.
With Zach LaVine in tow, Ball just seems to be the perfect backcourt partner for the elite scorer. Lonzo is a great playmaker and a solid defender. When he arrived in Chicago, he had career averages of 11.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
Many expected Ball to break out in Chicago with a more featured role alongside LaVine with the Bulls. Unfortunately, he was only able to play 35 games for the Bulls in the 2021-22 season before his injury that has since kept him out.
Hopefully, Ball is able to return in 2024-25. He has expressed his desire to continue playing, though the big question is if his knee will be able to hold up.
![Chicago Bulls' Forgotten Star Takes Big Step in Return From 2-Year Absence 4 Chicago Bulls](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_17480522_168400517_lowres-683x1024.jpg)
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