Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball reflected on his 2024-25 comeback season during the team’s end-of-year media session, expressing confidence about the future and revealing that no surgery is needed on his wrist.
After missing over two full seasons due to a knee injury, Ball returned to action this year, averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 22.2 minutes per game.
The 27-year-old said his offseason plan will begin with rest followed by a full training regimen, something he hasn’t experienced in several years.
“It’s the first offseason I’ve had in a long time that’s going to be normal,” Ball said. “I’m expecting big things next year for sure.”
Although a wrist injury ended his season prematurely, Ball confirmed he will not require surgery, emphasizing that the setback wasn’t related to his surgically repaired knee.
“As far as my knee, I think it did better than I could have ever imagined,” he said. “I got to a point where I was starting… I didn’t think that was going to happen.”
Ball acknowledged that his athleticism and shooting efficiency dipped, but he’s encouraged by the progress he made over the course of the season.
“I lost a little athleticism,” he said. “My shot wasn’t where I wanted it to be percentage-wise this year, but I liked the minutes I was getting and the looks I was getting.”
Chicago finished the regular season 39-43, securing the ninth seed in the East before losing to Miami in the Play-In Tournament.
Reflecting on the team’s defensive struggles, Ball pointed to lapses in help coverage as a key area for improvement.
“We’ve got guys that care and compete,” he said. “We just have to cover for each other better and rotate when guys get beat.”
Ball also touched on his role in the evolution of sports medicine, becoming one of the first NBA players to return to play after a cartilage transplant procedure.
“Those are the superheroes of the world,” Ball said of the medical professionals. “It’s nice to have guys out there like myself and the hockey player you’re describing, just to show people another option, another way.”
He recalled meeting the family of the donor who made his procedure possible—a moment he described as emotional and meaningful.
“I didn’t even know that was possible,” Ball said, crediting Dr. Brian Cole for organizing the meeting. “Just to show them that he’s still living on through me… I believe he’s watching down on us.”
Despite multiple setbacks, Ball said he’s entering the offseason with clarity and motivation, with the goal of starting next season strong.
“I now have a much better sense of what my abilities can be out there,” he said. “I’m going into next year with a clear mind, for sure.”
