Bulls news: Chicago hit with brutal Lonzo Ball knee injury setback

Sources revealed the official injury diagnosis of Chicago Bull's star Lonzo Ball after injuring his knee last week.

The Chicago Bulls have played their last three games without Lonzo Ball. The starting point guard has been struggling with a knee injury since the Bulls' loss to the Golden State Warriors back on January 14.

Now, almost a week later, Ball has been diagnosed with a small meniscus tear. NBA Insider Shams Charania tweeted the news Thursday morning. He also added that the Bulls are optimistic about monitoring Ball's knee and having him play through it.

Sources say there is hope Ball can monitor knee and play through it, but if he can't, he may require a minor procedure which would sideline him for several weeks. https://t.co/8Hetg2ZYQr

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 20, 2022

If Ball can't play through it, he will need surgery and miss “several weeks” of the Bulls' season, Charania noted. This would be a huge loss for Chicago, since the team is already struggling with injuries.

Shooting guard Zach LaVine has missed the Bulls' last three games as well due to a groin injury, and he is expected to be out of commission until at least January 26. Power forward Javonte Green has missed every game of 2022 due to a groin injury. Fortunately, he might be available for the Bulls vs Milwaukee Bucks Friday night.

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the fate of Ball's immediate future will be determined within the next day or two, and he would miss four to six weeks if arthroscopic surgery is necessary.

The Chicago Bulls and guard Lonzo Ball are expected to make a decision on undergoing arthroscopic surgery for a meniscus injury in his left knee in the next 24-to-48 hours, a procedure that would sideline him for 4-to-6 weeks, sources tell ESPN.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 20, 2022

This isn't the first time Ball has dealt with this injury. Bulls insider K.C. Johnson noted that the point guard had this surgery on the same knee back in July of 2018.

Ball underwent arthroscopic surgery on same knee in July 2018 to address another small meniscus tear.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 20, 2022

The Bulls are currently 28-15 and first in the Eastern Conference and hope to keep it that way, despite recent blows to their starting five.