Lonzo Ball had massive hype entering the league, and while he remains a valuable asset in the NBA, constant injuries have prevented his career from reaching the next level over and over again.
Ball offers a unique skillset that allows him to be impactful in all areas of the floor with a lot of untapped potential left, but the mentioned injuries have always slowed down the promising career of the eldest Ball brother.
Before last season, the Chicago Bulls were hopeful to have Ball back for the start of the season, after his surgery in the 2021-22 season, but the point guard was in need of a second surgery on his knee, after being unable to run or jump and even having pain walking up stairs.
Then, halfway into last season, things were still looking grim for the former number two pick. Neither the Chicago Bulls, nor Lonzo Ball, nor the media staff knew, why there was still pain in Lonzo’s knee, even though the point guard has had at least opinions from six different doctors.
The Bulls even fear the worst and believe that there’s a chance Ball might never be able to play again in his career.
Ball, who hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14, 2022, then underwent a cartilage transplant in March, and will miss the entire 2023-24 season.
But after years of bad news, the point guard is in line to take a significant step toward his recovery.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told reporters Ball is expected to resume running in January, saying that the pain that he was experiencing has been eliminated.
Ball is not expected to return for the Bulls this season, but the absence of pain is a huge marker for his recovery as an athlete and a person. He experienced chronic pain in everyday activities for at least a year before that cartilage procedure. Has to be a huge relief.
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) December 28, 2023
