SUMMARY
- Lonzo Ball has not played with the Bulls since the 2021-22 season.
- Ball has been making steady progress but still cannot make a full sprint.
It has been a while since we have seen Lonzo Ball in full swing and at this point, his return would mean the world to his loyal fans. After going down with an injured knee during the 2021-22 season, Ball hasn’t played a single game with the Chicago Bulls. This absence of his playmaking and perimeter shooting has caused a lot of damage over the past two seasons as well. Bulls fans have been eagerly waiting to see him bounce right back into action.
Lonzo update 👀🔥
(🎥 @swishcultures_) pic.twitter.com/WY1OObNLdY
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 29, 2024
Earlier there were multiple rumours about Ball’s progress and how he found it hard to get up from a seated position. However, the point guard eventually debunked the rumors that spread like wildfire. He has been making decent progress over the past couple of weeks. Lonzo has also been practicing shots and dribbling on the floor. The video above shows that he is not able to dunk the ball without any discomfort either.
Lonzo Ball still cannot make a full sprint Billy Donovan claims
In terms of progress, it turns out Lonzo Ball has had some limitations in mobility. Head Coach Billy Donovan addressed the recovery process saying, “I don’t know if he’s stuck. He is doing some shooting, some running, some jumping. He hasn’t done any sprinting yet, that I know.” This is certainly concerning as Ball was expected to make a return during the second half of the season. Considering that it has been two years, this isn’t a good sign.
Lonzo Ball is still unable to sprint, per @JCowleyHoops.
He hasn’t played since January 14, 2022 😕 pic.twitter.com/DYKE9Z45yM
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 28, 2024
Donovan added, “They talked about that, and was kind of a goal, a set point. I do think the one thing that has been a priority right now, so he does not get set back. He needs to develop more strength in his leg… I think they want him to get to a place physically that relates to his quad strength. I don’t want to say it’s a holdup, but that’s where they want to get him to.” The coach also added that Lonzo has been feeling better since the surgery.
When is Lonzo Ball expected to return?
Despite being the No.2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Lonzo Ball has never lived up to the hype. He initially performed poorly while producing an ineffective and broken jump shot. Since joining the Bulls, Ball has made severe adjustments to his shooting form. He averaged under 38% from deep while making less than 2 attempts per game. With the Bull, his average shot up to 42.3% on 7.4 attempts per game.
His defense and playmaking abilities were also overlooked by many. Before going down with a torn meniscus which needed surgery last year, Ball averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals per game as a starter. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine have been struggling without a consistent point guard on the floor. Hopefully, Ball will get back in shape by the start of next season.