Lonzo Ball is stuck in the NBA adaptation of an endless day. The last time we could see the leader in the Bulls jersey was in January. Let us specify: January 2022, more than a year ago. Since then, the Chicago player has been living through hell with his knee, of which he still does not see the end.
Already operated on twice, Ball may now need a third operation, from ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. His team and his agents, who are working together on this file, will make a decision after consulting specialists. But the new procedure would extend his healing time by six months, meaning he will likely miss the start of the 2023-24 season.
Initially, it was about 6 to 8 weeks of recovery. Today, the player has been stuck in the infirmary for 60 weeks. Two months of break have thus turned into a vacuum of a year and a half, if not more, over the bad news.
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At only 25 years old, Lonzo Ball seems at the end of his rope. Despite operations and rehabilitation, the discomfort persists and the athlete is still not fit to play again in the NBA. He had even admitted that he was no longer able to run or jump at the start of the season. Aiming for a return for the recovery in October then seems very ambitious, even unrealistic.
In Illinois, the second pick of the 2017 draft had nevertheless shown good progress. In 35 games in 2021-22, Ball was averaging 13 points, 5.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds. In particular, he managed to correct his three-point shot (42.3% success), establishing himself as an essential piece of the Bulls of Billy Donovan.
The absence of their bullfighter logically penalized the bulls, who are going through a delicate season. 11th in the East with a 30-36 record, Chicago is far from the level at which one would expect them on paper. Even with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan et Nikola Vucevicthe collective is on track to miss the play-in.
Short-term considerations aside, Lonzo Ball’s physical condition is of serious concern. There is no guarantee that the leader will be able to honor his last two years of contract. Beyond the seasons to come, it is indeed the rest of his career that hangs over the shadow of his injury.
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