Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball has been out with a knee injury since January 2022. After three knee surgeries, including a rare cartilage transplant, Ball defied all odds and made his return to the court for Wednesday night’s preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
After checking into the game midway through the first quarter, it would take Ball just 43 seconds to hit a corner three. Moments later, he sank another triple and gave the Bulls momentum on route to their 125-123 win.
TOP NEWS
RELATED: Sixers reveal Paul George has bone bruise, no structural damage in left knee
Ball finished the game with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, one rebound, one assist, one block and a steal. He played 15 minutes, which is just one shy of the minutes restriction the Bulls had planned for Ball.
“It’s not the same body I started off with,” Ball told ESPN. “But I think I can still be productive and effective on the court. That’s why I’m still trying to play.”
When he went down with the injury back in 2022, the Bulls were at the top of the Eastern Conference and the team was a lot different than it is now. While Ball’s return doesn’t immediately make them a championship contender, it does represent a very difficult journey and could end up being an unprecedented comeback story.
James Parker is an NBA writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
