Chicago Bulls Confirms Lonzo Ball Is Ruled Out for Remainder of NBA Season

Following the news that Patrick Beverley will be signing to the Chicago Bulls, Lonzo Ball will miss the remainder of the season due to continued discomfort from his knee injury.

Ball has not played a game since January 14, 2022, and has undergone two surgeries on his left knee since then. Despite the arthroscopic knee surgeries that happened before the 2022-23 season even started, the player continues to see minimal improvement and has not yet been able to play basketball at the highest level. Running, cutting, and jumping still causes his knee some pain.

In a team statement, Bulls’ VP Arturas Karnisovas said, Despite making significant increases in strength and function over the past several months, “Ball continues to experience performance limiting discomfort during participation in high-level basketball-related activities. Considering the required time period to achieve the necessary level of fitness to return to play and the current stage of the NBA season, Ball will not return this season. The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season.”

The news of Ball’s shutdown was expected as he has not been able to play without discomfort this season. He misses the entire 2022-23 season, the second of his four-year $80 million USD contract.

Injury Update: Lonzo Ball will not return this season.

"The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season."

Full Statement from Arturas Karnisovas:

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 21, 2023

In other sports news, Russell Westbrook is signing with the Los Angeles Clippers.