Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will return to motion throughout Wednesday’s preseason recreation towards the Minnesota Timberwolves.
As a consequence of persistent knee points, the previous No. 2 general choose’s comeback shall be his first NBA contest since Jan. 14, 2022 — 1,006 days.
Ball mentioned particulars of his return and his expectations for the marketing campaign forward of the sport.
Something the Bulls can get out of the 26-year-old this season shall be a bonus.
Chicago acquired Ball in August 2021 in a commerce with the New Orleans Pelicans. After his pair of campaigns with the Los Angeles Lakers to start out his profession, Ball performed two years within the Massive Straightforward.
The Bulls have been atop the Eastern Conference at 27-13 when the previous second-team All-Rookie final suited up. On the time, Ball was having his finest season, averaging career-highs in steals per recreation (1.8), minutes per recreation (34.6), capturing share (42.3%) and three-point share (42.3%). The UCLA product additionally completed his 35-game marketing campaign first on the group in assists (5.1) and second in rebounds per contest (5.4).
Chicago ended the 2021-22 common season by dropping 23 of its ultimate 42 video games after Ball went down to complete sixth within the convention at 46-36. The Bulls misplaced to the Milwaukee Bucks in 5 video games within the first spherical, and issues have solely gotten worse within the final two campaigns with out their flooring basic.
They went 40-42 to complete tenth within the East in the course of the 2022-23 season, misplaced within the play-in event, went 39-43 (ninth) final 12 months, and fell within the play-in event once more. Chicago has did not qualify for the playoffs in three of head coach Billy Donovan’s first 4 seasons.
The Bulls start their common season on Oct. 23 on the highway towards the New Orleans Pelicans, certainly one of Ball’s former groups.
