Bulls’ Donovan: Lonzo Ball Having ‘Really Positive’ Workouts amid Knee Injury Rehab

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMarch 9, 2024

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Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball, who hasn’t played since January 2022 due to left knee ailments, has had “really positive” workouts amid his ongoing rehab process.

Head coach Billy Donovan relayed the news to reporters on Saturday (h/t K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago).

“Some of the workouts have been really, really positive and he has progressed,” Donovan said.

“He has responded well. Some of the things that medical guys have shown me is he looks good moving. I’m just really happy for him personally for his progress. He has worked hard to put himself in this position. And hopefully, he can continue to progress.”

Ball has had three knee procedures over the past two-plus years, including a cartilage transplant. But he’s enjoyed tangible progress of late, including “sprinting and cutting and jumping,” per Johnson.

The next steps are being cleared for contact and playing five-on-five basketball, per Donovan.

“This is something that is almost unprecedented,” Donovan said. “He has been able to pass every hurdle so far.”

Ball joined the Bulls on a four-year, $80 million contract in 2021. In 35 games during the 2021-22 season, Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists. During his time on the court, the Bulls went 22-13 (compared to just 24-23 without him).

Obviously, the Bulls were a better team with Ball running the show. He formed a talented quartet alongside DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vučević and Zach LaVine, to the point where the team was sitting first in the Eastern Conference after 60 games during the 2021-22 season (39-21).

But the Bulls haven’t been able to find that same success since. Ball’s absence is arguably one of the biggest factors.

For now, the Bulls roll on, sitting ninth in the Eastern Conference with a 31-32 record. They appear destined for the play-in tournament for the second straight year, although it appears unlikely they’ll drop below the play-in line with the 11th-place Brooklyn Nets sitting six games back.