When Is Lonzo Ball Coming Back for the Chicago Bulls?
By Peter Dewey
The Chicago Bulls are going to be down a key piece of their rotation for start of the 2022-23 season, as guard Lonzo Ball underwent another knee surgery in late September.
Ball, who missed 47 games last season, could be out until the start of 2023 with the injury. It's a massive blow for the Bulls, who are planning to start 2021 second-round pick Ayo Dosunmu in place of Ball at the point guard position.
Latest Injury Update for Lonzo Ball
The Bulls reportedly believe that Ball will return this season after he had surgery to address and issue with his knee.
Sources: There is confidence in Bulls guard Lonzo Ball's ability to return this season following left knee surgery on Wednesday that doctors believe addressed the issue. Ball is expected to miss at least a few months.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 29, 2022
Ball offered a really concerning update on the injury, saying he couldn't run or jump still after missing most of the 2021-22 season. Chicago clearly his holding its breath that the new surgery will bring him back to his old self athletically.
"I really can't run. I can't run or jump. There's like a range from like 30 to 60 degrees when my knee is bent that I have like no force, and I can't catch myself."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) September 28, 2022
Lonzo Ball on undergoing his second surgery on his left knee this year.pic.twitter.com/YK0JustyRo
The Bulls have a win total projection of 41.5 this season, but they may be due for a step back from finishing in the No. 6 seed in the 2021-22 season. Without Ball, the Bulls will rely on Dosunmu, Coby White and newly-signed Goran Dragic to run the team's offense.
Last season, Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc. A solid defender, Ball was a key part of the Bulls' fast start last season.
If he can get healthy, Chicago could make a second half run in the 2022-23 season.
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