After Lonzo Ball Makes Long-Awaited Return From Injury, What Does It Mean For The Bulls?

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball returned to the floor for the first time in nearly three years Wednesday night. The recovering star scored 10 points on six shots in 15 minutes during a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“It felt a lot better playing than watching, I’ll tell you that much,” Ball said after the game. “I can’t really put into words how I felt out there, I was just blessed, happy to be out there, man. All the support around me was great, all night. It was definitely a moment I’ll never forget.”

Ball had not appeared in an NBA contest since January 2022, and has since received three surgeries to repair severe damage and cartilage loss to his left knee. Many thought his injuries would end his career. Not only is Ball back, but he played well in his first appearance, making his first two shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter.

Though the Bulls will likely be patient with Ball to begin the 2024-25 season, he could become an important role player for a team trying to re-enter playoff contention. 

When the Bulls acquired the point guard in a trade with the Lakers in 2021, they intended to enlist him as a facilitator for stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach Lavine. DeRozan left this past offseason, but Lavine, Coby White and promising rookie Matas Buzelis could form a core with an outside chance at a postseason berth. Ball’s role in that system could be a decisive step in the right direction.

But while it’s tempting to consider the Bulls’ prospects and Ball’s potential involvement in them, his performance Wednesday was merely a chance for him to get on the floor again. Against all odds, the former first-round pick proved that he still has something to offer at age 26.