Chicago Bulls make a mind-blowing announcement regarding Lonzo Ball. Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is reportedly on track to make his return to the court Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network. Ball fully participated in the team’s morning shootaround and, barring any late complications, could be cleared to suit up for the first time in over a month.
Should he be available, Ball is expected to play under a minutes restriction.
Ball last appeared in a game on February 28 during the Bulls’ 125-115 overtime win over the Toronto Raptors. In that outing, he recorded 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and a steal while going 4-for-10 from the floor across 34 minutes. Since then, he has missed 16 straight games due to lingering issues.
Despite his absence, the Bulls have gone 10-6 and stayed in the thick of the Eastern Conference Play-In race. Heading into Friday’s game, Chicago holds a 34-42 record, good for 10th place in the East. They trail the ninth-seeded Miami Heat (35-42) by just half a game with six regular season contests left.
Bulls Wrap Up Homestand as Ball Eyes Key Comeback
Friday’s game marks the end of a two-game homestand for Chicago before they embark on a brief road swing. They’ll face the Charlotte Hornets (19-57) on Sunday, followed by a tough test against the Cleveland Cavaliers (61-15) on Tuesday. Tip-off against the Trail Blazers is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at the United Center.
Ball, 27, has appeared in 35 games this season after battling knee injuries that sidelined him for two full years. In limited action, he’s averaged 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 34.4% from beyond the arc in 22.2 minutes per game.
His return could be a significant lift for the Bulls as they try to cement their postseason position. Ball’s court vision, perimeter defense, and shooting ability would add valuable support to a backcourt that has shouldered heavy responsibility during his absence.
As for the Trail Blazers (34-43), they’re looking to close the season strong despite being out of the playoff picture. Still, they remain a competitive squad capable of challenging the Bulls and disrupting their playoff momentum.
Chicago will announce Ball’s official status closer to game time, but if cleared, his return could mark an important step in his comeback and potentially spark the Bulls’ final playoff push.
