The Chicago Bulls received some brutal news after it was revealed that Lonzo Ball is now set to miss the remainder of the season due to a lingering knee injury. This was a tough blow for a Bulls side that was hoping to get their star point guard back in time for the playoffs.
Chicago head coach Billy Donovan has now spoken out about the team's immediate plan for Ball now that his season is officially over. As it turns out, the Bulls want the 24-year-old to remain with the team for the remainder of the campaign. Ball won't be sent home to LA and instead, will continue to rehab with the Bulls until their season comes to an end.
The good news here is that according to Donovan, Ball won't need to go under the knife again. The 6-foot-6 point guard underwent surgery back in January to address the torn meniscus on his knee. A recent setback prevented him from returning this season, so it's great to hear that he does not require a second procedure.
“I have not heard anything or no one has told anything to me that he will need another surgery,’’ Donovan said on Friday, via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. “So I don’t necessarily believe that is going to take place. What they’ve talked to me about is right now he is doing some training. Trying to get him ramped up to play again, that’s kind of off the table, and the main focus really is how do we get rid of his knee pain and discomfort? Obviously strengthening him, getting him stronger, all those types of things. I’m not sure if anyone knows how long that will take.’’
That's not exactly the most encouraging update from coach Donovan but the general belief is that Ball should be back in the mix to start the 2022-23 campaign.
In the meantime, however, the Bulls will need to navigate the playoffs without one of their most important players. They've done relatively well without him thus far, but it goes without saying that guys like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic will need to be at their very best if they hope to contend for the title this season.
After signing with the Bulls as a free agent last summer, Ball ends his debut campaign in Chicago with averages of 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals, and 3.1 triples per game on a 42.3-percent clip. He played in just 35 games this season. Ball is under contract with the team until the 2024-25 season, with the final year of his deal having a player option.
The good news for the Bulls is that while Ball is no longer in the picture, they did get Alex Caruso back. The former Lakers guard still isn't at full strength as of yet, though, and Donovan admitted that Caruso is not at a hundred percent:
“He still has some mobility issues, discomfort,’’ Donovan said. “I think the biggest thing for him is to get back and healthy. He’s been hampered with the back for some time now.’’
Without Ball, Caruso is another player that the Bulls will need to rely on heavily in the postseason. Chicago fans everywhere are hoping that the 28-year-old gets fully healthy once the playoffs kicks in.
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