Lonzo Ball Scores 10 in Comeback Game, Reflects on Journey Through Rehab
CHICAGO – Lonzo Ball made a triumphant return to the NBA on Wednesday night, stepping onto the court at the United Center for the first time in over two and a half years. The moment was electric as the crowd erupted into a standing ovation, a testament to their support for the Bulls' point guard, who hadn't played since January 14, 2022.
Limited Minutes, Solid Performance
Ball played for a limited 15 minutes, showcasing his skills with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in a preseason victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. "It felt so much better to be playing than just watching," Ball shared after the game. "It's hard to put into words how incredible it was to be out there... It's definitely a moment I’ll cherish forever."
A Long Road to Recovery
His journey back to the court has been anything but easy. Over the past 1,000 days, Ball has endured three arthroscopic surgeries on his left knee, including a complex double cartilage transplant in March 2023. Reflecting on his lengthy recovery, he chuckled, "It felt long. Really long. But looking back, it went faster than I thought. Hearing them say 18 more months of recovery after my third surgery felt crazy at the time, but now I'm here. It’s all behind me now."
A Changed Player, But Still Effective
On the day of his return, Ball expressed his excitement about the game, yet he acknowledged the reality of his changed physical state. "I'm not the same player I was when I last stepped on the court," he admitted during a morning shootaround. "But I believe I can still be effective and productive on the floor. That’s why I’m here."
Vintage Lonzo
His performance against the Timberwolves demonstrated that belief. He opened the game with a corner three-pointer, signaling his readiness by raising three fingers as he sprinted back down the court. In true Lonzo fashion, he showcased his all-around game with a block, a steal, an assist, and a rebound during his limited minutes.
Coach’s Praise
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan praised Ball’s performance, noting, "He looked fantastic. Lonzo has a unique way of playing that doesn’t overly rely on his knee or body; he uses his intelligence so effectively. He moved really well out there."
Looking Ahead
Perhaps the most encouraging sign for Ball and the Bulls was that he played without hesitating about his knee. "That’s a positive," he said. "I didn’t feel any discomfort at all. I felt great moving around. Now, it’s all about building on this and continuing to perform night in and night out."
Donovan confirmed that the team would keep a close eye on Ball’s knee in the coming days. "We need to see how it reacts after this game, and we’ll probably take it light in practice tomorrow," he noted. Ball indicated he was eager to participate in the preseason finale against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Confidence in Recovery
Throughout his recovery, Ball, who turns 27 later this month, remained optimistic about his return. He sought multiple opinions from knee specialists until he found a path to recovery that felt right. "Believing in myself was key," he explained. "Knowing what I felt and that I was still at a good age to make a comeback played a big role in this."
By August, Ball had been cleared for 5-on-5 scrimmages and began training with his teammates weeks before the official training camp started. He had hoped to make his return earlier in the preseason but faced a minor setback after testing positive for COVID-19. Throughout the preseason, he experienced some soreness, which he deemed normal, emphasizing the need for both himself and the team to manage his workload effectively throughout the season.
Managing Workload Moving Forward
"We’re in a good place right now, but I anticipate it will change throughout the year," Ball said. "Every day will present different challenges that we’ll have to navigate."