When the Chicago Bulls open their regular season on October 19 against the Miami Heat, it’s unlikely that Lonzo Ball will be with them. Ball, who’s been out of action since January, will likely miss both training camp and the beginning of the regular season as he continues to heal.
The news was reported by Jamal Collier and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN on Friday.
“Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is expected to miss training camp and is doubtful for the start of the regular season because of lingering pain and discomfort following meniscus surgery on his left knee in January, sources told ESPN on Friday,” the report said. “While a source reiterated that Ball’s knee is structurally sound after he underwent arthroscopic surgery on Jan. 28, he continued to experience pain while attempting basketball activities as he spent the summer rehabbing in Los Angeles.”
The NBA world was understandably disappointed to hear the latest news about Ball.
This sucks so much. I hope his body allows him to have the career he's capable of. https://t.co/qsYnQGCMYk
— Anthony F. Irwin (@AnthonyIrwinLA) September 2, 2022
Nooooooooooo https://t.co/3fr4dTEkv3
— John Keilman (@JohnKeilman) September 2, 2022
Not entirely unexpected, but disappointing nevertheless.
I'm guessing Ayo gets the nod as the starting point guard until Lonzo is fully back, which we probably won't have a timeline on for a while. https://t.co/xgQR3929Li
— Morten Stig Jensen (@msjnba) September 2, 2022
what i call a big yikes folks https://t.co/yx8SkCm4gs
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) September 2, 2022
Welp… https://t.co/49zlGStsEr
— Joe Olmo (@Joe_Olmo) September 2, 2022
Ball played in only 35 games during the 2021-22 regular season, which was his first with the Bulls. He missed the second part of the year with a meniscus tear in his left knee, last playing on January 14. Chicago was 22-13 in games he played and 27-13 overall at the time of his injury.
Before his injury, Ball was having a nice year. He averaged a career-high 34.6 minutes per game during the season. In that time, Ball averaged 13 points, 5.1 assists 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals a night.
[ESPN.com]