Bulls’ Lonzo Ball May Need Third Knee Surgery, per Report

The Chicago guard hasn’t played in an NBA game in over a year.

Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, who was recently shut down for the rest of the season due to a sore right knee, may require a third surgical procedure that would require six months of recovery and rehabilitation, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Ball has undergone two separate surgeries on his knee in the past 14 months, and has not appeared in a game since Jan. 14, 2022.

The expectation earlier this season was that Ball would be able to suit up and play for the Bulls as he continued to progress with his rehab on his knee from his most recent surgery. 

However, lingering soreness caused Chicago to shut him down, and now the belief is that a third surgery may provide Ball with the best path to play again.

Ball joined the Bulls last season and started in 35 games, where he averaged 13.0 points, 5.1 assists 5.4 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game on 42.3% shooting from the floor.

Over his career, Ball has averaged 11.9 points, 6.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds in stints with the Lakers, Pelicans and now, the Bulls.