Bulls insider says Lonzo Ball had no setbacks after his 5-on-5 full contact practice: Report
In what comes as good news for the Chicago Bulls, their star point guard Lonzo Ball had "no setbacks" during his 5-on-5 full contact scrimmage from earlier this month. Ball had been cleared to go full-tilt with his practice after undergoing three knee surgeries after being off the court since January 2022.
Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the guard has returned to full contact practice and has experienced no discomfort so far. Cowley also added that no pro athlete has made it back to elite-level competition after undergoing the meniscus transplant procedure that Ball underwent.
Earlier this year, Ball picked up his $21.4 million player option for 2024-25, but the think-tank will now have to figure out how he fits in their plans after acquiring Josh Giddey from the OKC Thunder this summer.
"The Bulls confirmed Ball has started playing in full-contact 5-on-5 scrimmages — as he was scheduled to do once August arrived — and, according to one source, has done so with no setbacks," Cowley said.
Before his injury, Lonzo Ball was a key playmaker in the starting rotation that included Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Nikola Vucevic. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 steals on 42/42/75 splits. His 3-point shooting saw a stark improvement, but he was sidelined after just 35 games for the side.
Now, it will be interesting to see his role alongside a new-look Bulls that already has Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu in the mix as well for guard duties.
Lonzo Ball optimistic about suiting up for the Bulls on the upcoming season's opening night
Despite not having played since the start of 2022, Lonzo Ball expressed optimism that he would take the floor for the Chicago Bulls on opening night.
Speaking on his 'What An Experience' podcast in May, the guard believes he was well on track with his recovery. He "firmly believed" that he would be ready to play on opening night with the Bulls for the upcoming season. (Start at 3:25)
“Yes, I firmly believe that,” said Ball. “That’s the plan that I’m on and I haven’t had any setbacks, so I expect to play the first game.”
Ball turns 27 in October and will enter the final year of his four-year, $85 million deal with the Bulls as part of his sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021.
In his two seasons each with the LA Lakers and the Pelicans, the PG averaged 11.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest. He was LA's first-round pick (No. 2 overall) in the 2017 draft class out of UCLA.