The Chicago Bulls are grappling with persistent uncertainty surrounding Lonzo Ball’s potential return to the court, per Jamal Collier of ESPN.
Despite harboring optimism, the organization remains uncertain if Ball will ever grace the Bulls’ lineup again, given the arduous journey that still lies ahead in his rehabilitation process.
It all started on January 20, 2022, when Ball sustained a meniscus tear in his left knee, leading to immediate surgery and a projected absence of six to eight weeks.
However, his recovery hit a snag, as increased physical activity during rehabilitation triggered pain, forcing him to sit out the remainder of the 2021-22 season, where he played in just 35 games — the fewest in his career.
The 2022-23 season brought more disappointment as recurring discomfort during basketball-related activities prompted the Bulls to rule him out for the entire season.
Ball did not make a single appearance during that campaign. On March 16, 2023, he underwent a cartilage transplant in his left knee.
In June 2023, Bulls Vice President Arturas Karnisovas delivered sobering news, stating that the team did not anticipate Ball’s return for the 2023-24 season.
