Lonzo Ball played a key role in Chicago’s hot start to the 2021-22 season. Then, injury struck.
Due to a meniscus tear in his left knee, Ball appeared in only 35 games in his first season with the Bulls. There was hope that he’d return in time for the playoffs, but he was eventually ruled out.
Several months later and Ball is still dealing with the injury, putting his availability for the 2022-23 season in doubt.
What’s next for Ball? Here’s everything we know about his injury and the latest news on when he may return.
MORE: Expert predictions for 2022-23 season, including MVP and best record
What is Lonzo Ball’s injury?
On Jan. 20, 2022, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Ball had been diagnosed with a “small” meniscus tear in his left knee. A few hours later, the Bulls announced that Ball would undergo arthroscopic surgery and was expected to return in six to eight weeks.
Ball underwent surgery on Jan. 28, 2022. He was shown working out in a team video shared on March 11, but it was announced on March 21 that the Bulls were going to “pull back” the rehab process.
Ball was then ruled out for the rest of the 2021-22 season on April 6.
“Ball underwent surgery on his left knee in Los Angeles on January 28 and continues to experience pain with high-level physical activity,” the Bulls shared in a press release. “He will continue daily treatment and rehabilitation in preparation for the 2022-23 season.”
Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game in his first season with the Bulls.
How long will Lonzo Ball be out?
It’s still unknown when exactly Ball will return.
In early September, news broke that Ball was expected to miss training camp and was doubtful for the start of the 2022-23 season. Ball’s knee was believed to be structurally sound following surgery, ESPN’s Jamal Collier wrote, but he was said to still be experiencing pain when attempting certain basketball activities.
According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports, it’s the bone bruise that “predated the January meniscus tear” that has been bothering Ball in his rehabilitation.
Ahead of training camp, the Bulls announced that Ball would undergo an arthroscopic debridement of his left knee on Sept. 28 and would be re-evaluated in four to six weeks. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, there is “confidence” that Ball will return in the 2022-23 season but he’s expected to miss “at least a few months.”
“I really can’t run or jump. Until I can do those things, I can’t play.”
Lonzo Ball gave an update on his rehab and why surgery was the only choice left pic.twitter.com/lk1JXYDkMI
— Sporting News NBA (@sn_nba) September 27, 2022
Lonzo Ball career stats, highlights
- 11.9 points per game
- 6.2 assists per game
- 5.7 rebounds per game
- 1.6 steals per game
- 0.6 blocks per game
- 2.5 turnovers per game
- 32.5 minutes per game
- 40.0 percent shooting
- 36.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 57.8 percent free throw shooting
