Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is set to make a highly anticipated return to the court with confident assertions about his readiness for the team's first regular-season game, as he revealed during the recent media day. The point guard, who last played an NBA game on January 14, 2022, has been sidelined by a series of knee injuries and subsequent setbacks in his rehabilitation process.
Ball's ordeal began with a torn meniscus, a severe injury that necessitated a prolonged recovery period. His rehabilitation hit another bump when he had to undergo a second knee surgery, specifically an arthroscopic debridement procedure. The road to recovery took another twist in March 2023 when Ball underwent an experimental cartilage transplant surgery, marking his third surgical intervention.
Progress and Optimism
Despite the complexity of his injury and recovery process, recent developments have been promising. In late August, Ball began participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages with other NBA players, a crucial step towards regaining his form. Bulls President Arturas Karnisovas expressed cautious optimism about Ball's progress and potential readiness by opening night. "Going into training camp, we're going to have to bring [Lonzo] up slowly. He's already played 5-on-5, but we haven't seen him go through training camp so there's going to be a lot of learning experience during training camp and how he can take loads, everyday practices," said Karnisovas.
A Measured Return
Even with this positive trajectory, the Bulls are mindful of managing Ball's reintegration into the lineup carefully. Medical staff has advised a minutes restriction and cautioned against his participation in back-to-back games to prevent any recurrence of injury. Ball himself remains realistic about the changes to his game post-injury. "Obviously I'm not going to be as athletic as I once was before, but I feel like skill and IQ can go a long way, especially in the league. I'm not too worried about it, obviously my game's going to have to change a little bit, but I still know how to play the game and I think I can play at a high level," Ball shared.
Team Dynamics
The Bulls' roster has seen significant changes during Ball's absence. DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, key players during Ball's first season with Chicago, are no longer with the team. Caruso was traded to Oklahoma City, and the Bulls acquired Josh Giddey as part of the deal. Giddey’s versatility and playmaking abilities were highlighted by Ball, who noted, "I think they're trying to do what's best for the team. Obviously we had a lot of success when I was running point guard, getting rebounds, pushing it up, and Giddey is capable of doing the same thing. For me I look at it as like, they want to win the most games as possible, and they feel like he can do it, we feel like he can do it and that's why he's here."
The team's youthful energy is bolstered by rising stars like Coby White, a finalist for Most Improved Player last season, and Ayo Dosunmu, who finished the previous season strong and now steps into a critical role. Ball acknowledges the vibrant mix, saying, "I feel like I can personally play with anybody. I feel a lot older coming back and seeing guys in here now, we have a young team. But I'm excited to get the year started."
As Lonzo Ball prepares to step back onto the court, the Bulls are both hopeful and strategic in their approach to his return. The journey from injury to recovery has been arduous, but the combination of Ball’s experience, intelligence, and the team's fresh talent pool creates a cautiously optimistic outlook for the season ahead.