Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball still can't play pain-free, will miss entire NBA season with knee injury
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball’s season is officially over.
And it never started.
Ball will miss the entire 2022-23 season as the Bulls announced on Tuesday that Ball’s left knee is still limiting his ability to play pain-free.
"Despite making significant increases in strength and function over the past several months, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball continues to experience performance limiting discomfort during participation in high level basketball-related activities," Bulls president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said in a news release.
"Considering the required time period to achieve the necessary level of fitness to return-to-play and the current stage of the NBA season, Ball will not return this season. The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season."
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Injury Update: Lonzo Ball will not return this season.
"The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season."
Full Statement from Arturas Karnisovas:— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 21, 2023
Ball tore his meniscus against Golden State on Jan. 14, 2022 and was expected to miss 6-8 weeks after surgery. Ball never returned at the end of last season, and just before this season began, the Bulls announced Ball would undergo an arthroscopic debridement of his left knee Sept. 28 and be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks.
In a meeting with reporters before the season began, Ball said he was experiencing multiple issues, including jumping, climbing stairs and playing basketball. Given the inability to resolve Ball's knee problem, there is concern about his future.
Ball was the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and was traded to New Orleans in the deal that sent Anthony Davis from the Pelicans to the Lakers. Ball had his best season in 2020-21, averaging 14.6 points, 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds and showed continued improvement with his 3-point shot. He was shooting 42.3% on 3s when he was injured last season.
Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract in 2021 as part of sign-and-trade that sent him from New Orleans to Chicago. His contract runs through 2024-25 but he has player option to become a free agent in the summer of 2024.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Lonzo Ball injury: Chicago Bulls guard will miss entire NBA season
