Lonzo Ball’s Return to the Court
NBA star Lonzo Ball made his long-awaited return to the court after nearly three years of recovery from multiple knee surgeries. In a pre-season game on Thursday, the Chicago Bulls point guard contributed 10 points in 15 minutes during a 125-123 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
At 26 years old, Ball also recorded an assist, a steal, and a block, marking his first game since January 14, 2022. He expressed his excitement, stating, “It felt a lot better playing than watching, I’ll say that much,” and admitted he couldn’t fully describe the emotions he experienced on the court.
Ball underwent a cartilage and meniscus transplant in his left knee in March 2023, following two other knee surgeries within the previous year. He also received a bone allograft, which involves using donor bone for the procedure.
Reflecting on his journey, Ball mentioned on his podcast, “What an Experience,” that his knee troubles began with a meniscus tear in 2018 while he was with the Los Angeles Lakers. On Wednesday, he noted that he felt good physically, saying he was “moving great” and had no issues with his knee during the game.
Looking Ahead to the Season
Lonzo Ball will begin the season with a minutes restriction and will not participate in back-to-back games. He is set to play in the Bulls’ final pre-season match against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, ahead of their season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.
“I had a goal to get back on the court,” Ball shared. “It’s been a long journey and a lengthy process, but it was all worth it because this is what I’ve been looking forward to. I’m just happy it’s finally here, and I can do what I love.”
He acknowledged the support he received along the way, saying, “There were a lot of people who helped me get here, not just myself. Seeing the crowd and feeling the love from the city is something you can’t replicate. It’s genuine.”
Ball was chosen second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2017 NBA Draft. He was later traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 and then moved to the Chicago Bulls in a sign-and-trade deal before the start of the 2021-22 season.