Lonzo Ball not pain-free yet, out for season
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball’s season is officially over.
And it never started.
Ball will miss the entire 2022-23 NBA season as the Bulls announced on Tuesday that Ball’s left knee is still limiting his ability to play pain-free.
“Despite making significant increases in strength and function over the past several months, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball continues to experience performance limiting discomfort during participation in high level basketballrelated activities,” Bulls president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said in a news release.
“Considering the required time period to achieve the necessary level of fitness to return-to-play and the current stage of the NBA season, Ball will not return this season. The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season.”
Ball tore his meniscus against Golden State on Jan. 14, 2022, and was expected to miss 6-8 weeks after surgery. Ball never returned at the end of last season, and just before this season began, the Bulls announced Ball would undergo an arthroscopic debridement of his left knee Sept. 28 and be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks.
In a meeting with reporters before the season began, Ball said he was experiencing multiple issues, including jumping, climbing stairs and playing basketball.
Given the inability to resolve Ball’s knee problem, there is concern about his future.
Ball was the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and was traded to New Orleans in the deal that sent Anthony Davis from the Pelicans to the Lakers.
Ball had his best season in 2020-21, averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds and showed continued improvement with his 3-point shot.
Ball was shooting 42.3% on 3-pointers when he was injured last season.
Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract in 2021 as part of sign-andtrade that sent him from New Orleans to Chicago. His contract runs through 2024-25 but he has player option to become a free agent in the summer of 2024.