Bulls News

New Development in Lonzo Ball's Injury Return

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan gave an update on guard Lonzo Ball.

Joey Linn

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) poses during Chicago Bulls Media Day.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) poses during Chicago Bulls Media Day. / Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
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Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is nearing a return to NBA action after more than two years sidelined due to injuries. Ball has worked hard to get back, and is expected to play at some point this preseason for Chicago.

Because he has been out so long, Ball is not going to appear in a game until he is full healthy. The Bulls are making sure the former second overall pick checks every box before allowing him to return to game action.

During a recent episode of his What an Experience podcast, Ball announced that his plan is to play two of the final three preseason games.

“I’m sitting the first two preseason games,” Ball said. “Expecting to play the last two. Maybe two of the last three… Everything is going along, feeling good. Knee is feeling good.”

In a new development, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan revealed that Ball was held out of shootaround on Saturday due to knee soreness.

Via K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network: “Billy Donovan said Lonzo Ball was held out of shootaround today with knee soreness. Donovan called it ‘normal’ and said plan is still for Ball to play two of final three preseason games.”

While Bulls fans are understandably concerned with this new development, it does not sound too significant. If Ball is still expected to play in two of the final three preseason games, this soreness is likely not a major concern.

It is reasonable to expect Chicago to ease Ball back into action, and this includes how they handle practices and shootarounds. This is why it is not surprising for Donovan to call the latest Ball development a “normal” one.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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