Lonzo Ball excites fans with his NBA return after 2 years
NBA fans were thrilled to see Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball return to the court for the first time since January 2022.
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Ball made his NBA return
After three knee surgeries and more than two years from the sidelines, Ball, 27, checked into the game when the Bulls hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves in a preseason game.
The former second overall pick got a huge ovation from the United Center crowd.
Ball immediately buried a corner three on the first play.
The floor general finished with 10 points, one assist and one rebound. He shot 4-of-6 from the field, and played just 15 minutes
NBA fans were all excited
The NBA community had fans celebrating Ball on social media.
Even Indiana Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton was happy to see Lonzo on an NBA court.
Long recovery
Ball last played on January 14, 2022 before he went down with a meniscus injury in his left knee.
Since then, he’s undergone three arthroscopic procedures on his left knee, including a rare double cartilage transplant in March 2023.
In total, Ball has played in just 35 games over the last three years.
“It’s not the same body I started off with,” Ball said after Wednesday’s shootaround. “But I think I can still be productive and effective on the court. That’s why I’m still trying to play.”
Although it was a long healing process, Ball said he’s glad to have recovered faster than initially expected.
“Long. Really long,” he said. “But looking back on it, it went a lot faster than I thought. … Them telling me 18 more months recovery [after the third surgery], it sounds crazy in the moment, but now I’m here. It’s all behind me now.”
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