Chicago Bulls’ Lonzo Ball can’t run, skip 2022 with 2nd knee surgery looming

CHICAGO – After spending the summer rehabbing in Los Angeles and getting mixed reviews from strength specialists, the Bulls guard Lonzo Ball He said he still can’t run or jump without pain in his left knee, which is why he’s scheduled for another arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday.

“It was a point where we got warmed up and filled up and I’m going to have some days and it’s going to be good,” Ball said in a video interview with reporters on Tuesday. “Then when I got to the real basketball activities, I couldn’t do it. Unfortunately, it’s in his hands and he needs to be treated. We feel like surgery, again, is the best option.”

The Bulls held their first team practice of the season on Tuesday afternoon as Ball prepares to undergo surgery on his left knee in LA for the second time since January and the third time since — including the procedure while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. Ball said he will return to Chicago to be with the team as he recovers from the surgery.

“For me, this will be my third surgery, so I don’t want to rush anything this time,” he said.

Ball is scheduled to be re-evaluated four to six weeks after the surgery, but the team and Ball are willing to spend time on his return this season, he said. However, Ball does not believe the knee will keep him out of the entire 2022-23 season.

“It’s not on my mind right now, but that would be the worst case scenario,” Ball said. “I’m at a point where I know I can’t go back there until I’m comfortable and able to play. So whenever that day comes, that’s when I’ll put the jersey on.”

Not only is Ball limited in his activities on the basketball court, but he is having problems climbing stairs and doing daily activities, he said. The discomfort in his knee surprised the doctors, the team and the ball in the long term. This week, he said, surgery is equivalent to identifying problems.

“From my understanding, they’re going in there to see what it is,” Ball said. “Because it doesn’t necessarily show up on the MRI, but obviously there’s something wrong there. So they go in and look at it, and whatever needs to be done is done.”

“I’ve never felt pain like this or I couldn’t lift a little bit but I never could completely, so it’s definitely a special situation. The doctors and bulls, we’re all trying to figure out what it is. Like I said. We’ve all come to the conclusion that it’s time for surgery.”