Dec 8, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) reacts in the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Chicago Bulls at Cleveland Cavaliers
When the Bulls signed Lonzo Ball to a four-year contract worth $80 million in the summer of 2021, the vision was for him to be the starting point guard for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, thanks to unprecedented injuries, that goal has been a massive failure.
The team announced yesterday that 25-year-old will miss the rest of the 2023 season. Ball has failed to play this year thanks to discomfort in his left knee.
In his first season with the team, Ball played 35 games before undergoing surgery on a meniscus tear in January that was supposed to hold him out 6-8 weeks. Well, about 56 weeks later, the point guard continues to deal with pain when he runs, cuts or jumps.
We now found out today, that doctors have never seen an injury like this before.
Tristan Thompson said on ESPN that he talked to the Ball’s agent Lonzo he said that Lonzo has seen doctors all over the country and they say that he has a “unique injury that they have never seen before.
While the ten-year veteran may not be the most trustworthy source, the report is still freighting.
Chicago Bulls vice president Arturas Karnisovas released a statement on behalf of Ball yesterday.
“Despite making significant increases in strength and function over the past several months, Ball continues to experience performance limiting discomfort during participation in high level basketball-related activities,” said Karnisovas in an official statement. “Considering the required time period to achieve the necessary level of fitness to return to play and the current stage of the NBA season, Ball will not return this season.”
At this point, it’s fair to assume that Lonzo Ball’s NBA career could be in jeopardy. The Bulls currently sits in 11th in the Eastern Conference heading out of the All-Star break.
