The Chicago Bulls have been one of the surprise teams in the NBA this season, jumping from out of the playoff picture last season to the top seed in the Eastern Conference halfway through this year.
However, it appears that the Bulls could miss one of their biggest pieces for some significant time going forward. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball has been diagnosed with a small meniscus tear in his left knee.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has been diagnosed with a small meniscus tear in his left knee and is evaluating treatment options, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 20, 2022
Ball has a few options going forward with treatment on this injury. Ball is evaluating his options, which are either to play through the injury and monitor his progress or have arthroscopic surgery on his knee.
The Chicago Bulls and guard Lonzo Ball are expected to make a decision on undergoing arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus injury in his left knee in the next 24-to-48 hours, a procedure that would sideline him for 4-to-6 weeks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 20, 2022
Should he choose to have the surgery, Ball would be expected to miss anywhere from 4-6 weeks.
Here are some reactions around the NBA world regarding Ball’s injury.
Treatment options for a meniscus tear (non-operative, repair, or "shaving" out) vary from athlete to athlete based on size, location, complexity, blood supply, and associated injuries. #BullsNation #LonzoBall https://t.co/VsgKjh08dk
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) January 20, 2022
Damn this sucks https://t.co/X0j9HrcUhO
— Joe Viray (@JoeVirayNBA) January 20, 2022
https://t.co/FnMaNBYNSR pic.twitter.com/PavDGGm08j
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) January 20, 2022
freaking knew this was a problem when he got sent home for another opinion https://t.co/mcXypC8A4x
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) January 20, 2022
Ball has been out for the last three games for the Bulls with what was initially thought to be just a bone bruise, but now we know that the injury diagnosis is more severe than that.
NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski has said that Ball and the Chicago Bulls will make a decision later this week on whether or not to have surgery.
This is a big blow to the Bulls if Ball is going to miss significant time down the stretch of this NBA season. Ball has been averaging 13 points per game this season with over 5 assists and rebounds on the year as well.
UPDATE: The Bulls have announced that Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to return in six to eight weeks.
Injury Update: Lonzo Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to return in 6-8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/MPCSAqHoly
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 20, 2022
[ESPN.com]
