Lonzo Ball Makes Long-Awaited Return from Knee Injuries, Scores 10 in Bulls’ Preseason Game

A Moment Nearly Three Years in the Making

When the moment finally arrived, after multiple knee surgeries and one grueling rehab, Lonzo Ball raised his right arm and blew a kiss to the cheering United Center crowd.

Fans Rose to Their Feet

Fans rose to their feet as the announcement echoed through the arena: “Checking in for the Chicago Bulls! No. 2! Lonzo Ball!”

Ball Scores 10 Points in 15 Minutes

Ball made his long-awaited return, scoring 10 points in 15 minutes in the Bulls’ 125-123 preseason victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. The point guard also had an assist, a steal, and a block in his first game appearance since January 14, 2022.

Ball’s Postgame Remarks

“It felt a lot better playing than watching, I’ll say that much,” Ball said after the game. “I can’t even really put into words how I felt out there.”

Watch the attached video for more of Ball’s postgame remarks.

The Journey Back

Ball, who turns 27 on October 27, underwent a cartilage and meniscus transplant in his left knee last year after several procedures failed to fix his injury. He thought he “was moving great,” and the knee gave him no trouble “at all.”

A Rousing Ovation

Ball got a rousing ovation when he subbed in for Josh Giddey following a timeout midway through the first quarter, and it didn’t take him long to make an impact. He nailed an open 3-pointer from the left corner off a feed from a driving Nikola Vucevic with 5:25 left in the quarter, drawing another big roar from the crowd.

Teammates Show Support

Several players expressed their support and respect for Ball in the team’s postgame meeting. Coby White presented the game ball, and Zach LaVine handed Ball a jersey that appeared to be signed by the team.

Ball’s Remarks

“Just blessed, man,” Ball said when asked what he felt when he checked into the game. “There were a lot of people that helped me get here, not just myself. Just to see the crowd and all the love I get from the city, man, you cannot replicate that in any type of way. And it’s real.”

Faithful or Not

The Bulls have one more exhibition against Cleveland on Friday before opening the regular season at New Orleans next week. Ball said he will “for sure” play against the Cavaliers. He’ll start the season on a minutes restriction and won’t play games on back-to-back days.

Limited Minutes

The Bulls had Ball on a 16-minute limit against Minnesota. They planned to have him get two roughly four-minute stints per half. But after playing nearly six minutes in the third quarter, he sat the rest of the way.

Conclusion

Ball’s return to the court is a testament to his perseverance and determination. After a long and arduous recovery process, he is back doing what he loves – playing basketball.

FAQs

* What is Ball’s current status with the Bulls?
Ball is expected to start the season on a minutes restriction and won’t play games on back-to-back days.
* How many points did Ball score in his return game?
Ball scored 10 points in 15 minutes.
* What was Ball’s injury history?
Ball underwent multiple knee surgeries, including a cartilage and meniscus transplant, after several procedures failed to fix his injury.