Bulls guard Lonzo Ball expressed his excitement about preparing for his first NBA game in over two years, acknowledging that he is not the same player he was prior to his injury in January 2022. After a shootaround on Wednesday, Ball described himself as “full of joy,” but noted the physical changes he has undergone during his recovery.
“It’s not the same body I started off with,” Ball stated. However, he remains optimistic about being productive and effective on the court, which motivates him to continue playing.
In his recent limited game time against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Ball played 15 minutes and scored 10 points on 4 of 6 shooting. His last appearance in a Chicago game was on January 14, 2022, and since then, he has undergone three arthroscopic surgeries on his left knee, including a unique double cartilage transplant in March 2023.
Reflecting on his long recovery journey, Ball remarked, “Long. Really long,” but added that it progressed quicker than he anticipated. He had initially been told he would need an 18-month recovery following his third surgery, which seemed daunting at the time, but he is grateful to have moved past that period.
During his first season with the Bulls in 2021-22, Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists with shooting accuracy of 42% over 35 games. Now, as he prepares to return to the court, Ball has been confident throughout his recovery, consulting multiple knee specialists to secure a viable path to healing.
“My belief in myself has been key,” Ball said, highlighting his awareness of his circumstances and trust in the medical professionals guiding him.
By August, he was cleared for 5-on-5 scrimmages and arrived at the Bulls’ facility ahead of training camp to work out with the team. Though he had hoped to make his preseason debut sooner, he was briefly sidelined due to a positive COVID test.
While Ball has experienced some soreness during the preseason, he remains committed to managing his workload and playing time throughout the season, stating, “We have a good handle right now, but I think it’s going to change throughout the year. Every day is going to be a different challenge we just have to overcome.”