Bulls’ Lonzo Ball ‘Progressing’ With No Setbacks Amid Knee Injury, Karnišovas Says

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIApril 20, 2024

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Chicago Bulls executive vice president of operations Artūras Karnišovas told reporters at his end-of-season press conference that point guard Lonzo Ball, who has missed the last two-and-a-half seasons with persistent left knee issues, is “progressing well.”

“We’re just going to wait and see his progression the next couple of months,” Karnišovas said, per Ryan Taylor of NBC Sports Chicago. “He’s progressing well. Everything is looking with no setbacks. So we’ll see where he’s at in a couple of months.”

Ball has undergone three knee procedures (including a cartilage transplant) since his last NBA appearance in January 2022.

The Bulls executive’s comments echo head coach Billy Donovan’s sentiments to reporters in March (h/t K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago) regarding Ball’s progress.

“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 initially sat with a torn meniscus, and he was expected back before the end of the 2021-22 season (specifically six-to-eight weeks).

But that never happened with Ball continuing to experience pain and discomfort throughout his rehab process. A second surgery in Sept. 2022 occurred, but that still did not solve the problem. He then underwent the cartilage transplant in March 2023.

Thankfully, it appears Ball is on the right track with potential to return for the 2024-25 season. The Bulls were far better with him (27-13 before the injury in 2021-22) then without (19-23 down the stretch) and haven’t been able to sustain success ever since.