Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball has faced a challenging road since he arrived in Chicago via a sign-and-trade deal in 2021. Ball, known for his dynamic play, has struggled with persistent knee problems that began in 2022. These issues have been severe enough to require three separate surgeries, keeping him off the court entirely.
On Monday, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations, Arturas Karnisovas, updated Ball on his progress. He said the Bulls plan to have Ball ready for the season opener.
“Going into camp, we’ll have to bring him up slowly. He’s already played five-on-five, but we haven’t seen him go through camp, so there will be a lot of learning. It will take time,” he said.
Ball’s injury is more than just a physical setback; it’s a frightening prospect for any player’s career. To save his future in basketball, Ball even received a donated body part.
Billy Donovan Addresses Lonzo Ball’s Recovery Ahead of Season Start
Much speculation has been about Lonzo Ball’s future, especially with the Chicago Bulls planning to have him play in the season opener. However, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan recently shared a more cautious perspective.
During his ‘670 The Score’s Mully & Haugh Show’ appearance, Donovan offered hope and shared the uncertainty surrounding Ball’s return.
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“The thing that Arturas mentioned, which is critical, is we don’t know how he’s going to respond after games, after practices. Because we haven’t seen it. That’s where we first got to start off with,” Donovan said.
“Is it something where he plays 15 to 20 minutes and now he’s got to take the next day off? Can he play 25 to 30 minutes? How does he respond? The back-to-backs—we don’t know any of those things. So we’re going to wait to find out,” he added.
The Bulls will begin their season on October 8, facing off against the Cleveland Cavaliers. All eyes will be on how Ball performs after returning from his lengthy injury absence.
