By The Chicago Bulls are on the precipice of some horrible news. While it won’t be announced until after the NBA All-Star break, the expectation, according to Bulls insider K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports, is that Lonzo Ball won’t return this season.
Johnson recently said on Bulls Talk Pod that it’s a “foregone conclusion” that Ball, who hasn’t appeared in a game since Jan. 14, 2022, would be sidelined for the remainder of the season with a knee injury. While that knee injury originally appeared to be harmless on the surface, further evaluation and testing revealed a torn meniscus. Ball underwent surgery, and his initial timeline for a potential return was six-to-eight weeks.
Bulls Vice President Artūras Karnišovas told reporters over a week ago that while Ball was making small improvements, Chicago would have more information on his status post-All-Star weekend.
“He’s not even running or cutting yet,” Johnson said.
Johnson couldn’t commit to saying whether Ball would be ready for training camp, as neither the Bulls nor the former second-team All-Rookie guard could make that conclusion at this point in time. Johnson did say that until Ball is able to return, the question/concern over this being a career-threatening injury is going to remain.
The NBA world reacted to Ball’s devastating injury news on Twitter.
Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball is not running or cutting yet and the expectation is that the team will come out after the All-Star break saying that they are shutting Lonzo down for the season, per @KCJHoop on the Bulls Talk Podcast.
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) February 18, 2023
I miss watching Lonzo Ball mane, that recent news is sad to see.
Lonzo was just peaking defensively and found his niche on offense too, hopefully we haven’t seen the last of what was going to potentially be a perennial All-Defensive guard candidate. pic.twitter.com/Z7ZAePbFbV
— BMORE🪐 (@bmoretalks_ball) February 18, 2023
The Lonzo Ball news isn’t surprising to us Bulls fans but it hurts to hear that he STILL can’t even RUN. Zo was one of the best defenders in the NBA w/DPOY potential while offensively he found his role. Serious prayers up for a recovery because he may never be the same again 🙏🏾🙏🏾 https://t.co/wp3jmYsWqm
— omo mustard (@yungmustard23) February 18, 2023
Absolutely brutal what has happened to Lonzo Ball. Dude was finally finding his rhythm in the league when he was in New Orleans. Could’ve been a special talent. Injuries suck. https://t.co/lmdDZUkLBZ
— Bam Adobobayo (@Bam_Adobobayo) February 18, 2023
It really hurts seeing Lonzo Ball’s career play out like this as someone who grew up a fan of him at Chino Hills and UCLA. Praying he’s able to come back.
In the meantime, the Rockets should stay very clear of a Lonzo trade no matter how low the price is. https://t.co/Ou0iQgm69T
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) February 18, 2023
☆Currently Lost in NBA Rabbit Hole
●Lonzo Ball Career:
•Games Played: 252
•Games Missed: 223
•Current Contract: 4 years 80 million
•Contract Progress: 40 million for 35 games
-Current Injury: Knee Bruise
▪︎ Games Missed: 129#LonzoBall— Daily Coach Picks (@DailyCoachPicks) February 18, 2023
