Bulls’ point guard Lonzo Ball has fought an uphill battle concerning his injuries for nearly two years. He was announced out for the entirety of the 2023-24 campaign over the summer following his third surgery in 14 months on the same knee. He was still experiencing pain despite the extensive restructuring he’d been through, but according to the Chicago Tribune’s Julia Poe, Ball is finally making positive strides. What’s the good news, and how soon can Ball return to action?
This is a breath of fresh air for Ball and his fans, as many of the updates over the past 24 months have only been negative ones. Hearing that he’s not experiencing pain anymore for the magnitude of injuries and procedures he’s sustained is excellent news, considering many players have had their careers ended due to similar timelines.
Although he will not be back this year for the Bulls, the point guard position has been a commonly scapegoated issue for Chicago ever since he went down to injury, and a return to form could solve a magnitude of the team’s current problems. A backcourt with Coby White and a healthy Ball would be one of the best three-point shooting tandems leaguewide, and the playmaking of the duo would create opportunities that trickle down the entire lineup.
This year’s 23-year-old Coby White is similar to what Ball represented before being sidelined. Averaging 13.0 points, 5.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks plus steals per game, the 24-year-old version of Ball was one of the most unsung players on Chicago’s roster, and his well-rounded archetype helped bolster his teammates’ production. He also shot over 42% from three-point territory, allowing Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan space to operate in the midrange and attack the basket while still needing to respect their point guard’s shooting abilities.
Per Poe, he’ll begin running this month, hoping for a full recovery by the 2024-25 season. While this may seem minor, any step forward is the best news in a long time toward his recovery. Chicago’s lineup will likely feature a few new pieces by the time he returns, but his balanced skillset will contribute to winning basketball regardless of his surroundings or workload. Before his injury, the Bulls were fighting for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, and head coach Billy Donovan was the front-runner for the Coach of the Year honor.
