Will Lonzo Ball Return in the Preseason or Regular Season?

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On January 14th, 2022, Lonzo Ball would play in a matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Golden State Warriors. In 24 minutes, Ball would score 15 points, dish three assists, and grab two rebounds. Initially expected to be out 6-8 weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, Ball would miss the rest of the 2021-22 season in addition to the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

After undergoing a knee cartilage transplant that no player in any sport has ever returned from, Ball expects to be ready to play for the Bulls’ 2024-25 opener on October 23rd against the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite going through two practices, head coach Billy Donovan expects Ball will not play against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 12th, but likely in one of the Bulls’ final two preseason games.

During the Bulls media day, Ball answered numerous questions from reporters regarding his status:

“I’m feeling good. Happy to be here, blessed to be here, for sure, first and foremost. Happy to see you all again. I know it’s been a minute. But I’m looking forward to camp, ready to get the year started.”

When asked if he would be ready for opening night by CHSN’s KC Johnson, Ball had the following to say:

“That’s the goal [to be ready for opening night]. Obviously, we can’t really tell the future, but that’s the plan I’m on. I think I’ll be ready for the first game, for sure.”

When asked about how the Ball will manage his play, Ball would say back-to-backs would be off the table for now and he would be on a minutes restriction (without a time being given). He would further explain communication being key between him and the team as no player has come back from this surgery in any sport and he ultimately has a new knee.

During the Charlotte Hornets media day, LaMelo Ball would be asked about his brother’s impending return, giving a simple response:

“It’s a blessing, for sure. God is amazing.”

There are still many questions for the Ball as he is set to return to the Bulls. With the team far from the team it looked like in early 2022, the team is shifting toward their younger players. Chicago has made it clear they are looking to move on from Zach Lavine with the team also rumored to be looking to move on from Nikola Vucevic following the DeMar DeRozan trade this past summer.

Many saw the Bulls trading for Josh Giddey as looking to replace Ball, a question he was asked during media day. When asked if he saw it as the team moving on from him or using Giddey as insurance, Ball would respond by saying:

“I think they’re trying to do what’s best for the team. Obviously, we had a lot of success when I was running point guard, getting rebounds, pushing it up, and Giddey is capable of doing the same thing. So, I look at it as like they want to win the most games as possible, and they feel like he can do it, we feel like he can do it, and that’s why he’s here.”

If Ball plays in one of the Bulls’ last two preseason games, either against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 14th or the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 16th, he will be back on the court in an NBA game for the first time in over 1,000 days.