Lonzo Ball, a guard with the Chicago Bulls, is anticipated to sit out the whole 2023–24 NBA season due to ongoing left knee problems.
“Going into the offseason, I think our expectation is that he’s not coming back next season and he’s going to continue on his recovery,” executive vice president of basketball operations Artras Karniovas stated during a news conference held on Thursday after the 2023 NBA Draught. “It would be great if he comes back.”
After tearing the meniscus in his left knee during a 42-point defeat to the Golden State Warriors on January 14, 2022, Ball hasn’t played since. It was his third treatment on the same knee in 14 months when he got a cartilage transplant in his left knee in March. While Ball is “recovering nicely” and quit using crutches last month, according to Karniovas, he “does not think he will be back next season.”
Ball had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in January 2022 as a result of tearing his meniscus; he was supposed to be back on the pitch in 6-8 weeks, but he missed the remainder of the 2021–22 season due to pain he had while recovering. Prior to the 2022–23 season, he had an arthroscopic debridement in the same knee, but the Bulls ended his season in February before he ever got back on the court because he couldn’t play without discomfort.
Ball had a scope on the same knee in 2018 while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Ball referred to his recovery from the knee injury in March as a “frustrating process.” My major emphasis has been on getting back onto the court and to a location where I can reunite with my teammates, he said. I’m sure that this course of action is the finest one. Throughout my recuperation, what has kept me going has been the support of my family, friends, followers, and medical professionals. I am really eager to resume playing basketball, which is what I like doing the most.
Despite the most recent setback, Karniovas expressed his confidence that Ball would eventually return. On the basketball floor, you will eventually see him, Karniovas said on Thursday.
Ball, the No. 2 choice overall in the 2017 draught by the Lakers, was exchanged for Anthony Davis from the Pelicans in order to bring Davis to Los Angeles. Ball’s greatest season was in 2020–21, when he averaged 14.6 points, 5.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and continued to become better with his 3-point shooting while playing for the Pelicans.
Ball was traded by the Pelicans to Chicago in a sign-and-trade transaction in August 2021. Before being hurt, he was hitting 42.3% from three points for the Bulls.
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