Is Lonzo Ball playing tonight against Timberwolves? Exploring Bulls star's availability (Nov. 7, 2024)
Lonzo Ball has only played three games for the Chicago Bulls this season and missed the last four due to an injury. He also missed the past two and a half seasons because of a knee injury and underwent multiple procedures. So, is the former No. 2 pick playing tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves?
According to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune, Ball has no timetable for his return from a wrist sprain. He was initially set to be re-evaluated 10 days after the injury, but it seems like he will remain out of the lineup, which means he won't be playing on Thursday night at home in the United Center.
Another player on the injury report is Zach LaVine, who missed the Bulls' 119-99 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. LaVine is listed as day-to-day because of a right adductor strain, which kept him out of the 135-126 defeat to the Utah Jazz.
What happened to Lonzo Ball?
Lonzo Ball suffered a wrist injury in the first quarter of the Chicago Bulls' 126-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 28. He was attempting to steal an outlet pass but failed before falling to the floor. He tried to break his fall but landed on his right hand.
After undergoing evaluation, Ball was diagnosed with a Grade 1-2 wrist sprain and was ruled out for at least 10 days. He played through the pain and was ruled out because it could lead to a Grade 3 sprain, which could require surgery and a longer recovery time.
"If I play on it right now while it's still swollen, it could get to a Grade 3," Ball said, according to ESPN. "That would require surgery. Trying to avoid that obviously. Let the swelling down, hopefully tape it up and get back to it."
Lonzo Ball missed 211 games due to injury in the past two years
Lonzo Ball suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee 35 games into the 2021-22 NBA season. He underwent surgery and was expected to return after six to eight weeks but was ruled out for the rest of the season after experiencing pain during rehabilitation.
Ball underwent arthroscopic debridement in the summer of 2022 but still experienced the same pain during physical activities in his rehab and was ruled out for the entire 2022-23 season because of it. There were even rumors that he could retire due to injury.
The Bulls then announced ahead of the 2023-24 season that Ball would miss the entire campaign due to pain in his knee. He underwent another surgery, a revolutionary meniscus transplant, last May. He was later cleared to return and made his season debut in the Bulls' opening game.