Since January 14, 2022, Lonzo Ball has not participated in an NBA game.
The Bulls guard had two more knee surgeries as a result of rehabilitation failures following his first meniscus tear, which occurred 33 months ago. But there was finally optimism this offseason that the former No. 2 pick might be making a surprise run at the top.
Ball participated fully in the Bulls’ training camp, which raised expectations for his imminent return to action.
The point guard was then absent from the Bulls’ preseason game against the Cavaliers on Tuesday. His absence quickly led to rumors that his knee problems may resurface.
Fortunately, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Ball missed the game due to a COVID-19-related illness.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan revealed after the game that Ball’s bout with COVID had affected his fitness, causing him to miss the match.
“In discussions with the medical staff and with him, it’s clear he’s still in the process of regaining his strength,” Donovan said, as reported by Cowley. “He likely missed about a week of workouts due to COVID, which led to some strength and weight loss. We’ll take a cautious approach as we build him back up.”
Regarding Ball’s potential preseason return to the floor, Donovan remained upbeat.
“I completely expect him to play in the preseason games at some point, but I believe it will depend on additional sessions, load management, and his physical condition. The wisest course of action at this point for him would be to keep trying to develop him.”
Chicago’s 2024–25 season will begin on October 23 against the Pelicans, following four more preseason games.
The Bulls (27-13) had the best record in the East and, with Ball, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic at the nucleus of the lineup, appeared to have found a winning recipe at the time of Ball’s meniscus injury in January 2022. The Bulls’ fortunes have declined since then, and in 2022–2023 and 2023–2024, the team did not make the playoffs.
