Chicago Bulls Guard Lonzo Ball Set for Third Knee Surgery and Could Miss All of Next Season
The Chicago Bulls may be without their star point guard Lonzo Ball for the next season as he prepares to undergo a third knee surgery. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Ball will have a cartilage transplant in hopes of returning to the court.
It’s believed that the surgery will sideline Ball for the entire 2023-24 season, which could be a big blow to the team’s championship aspirations. The last time Ball played was in January 2022 when the Bulls were on top of the Eastern Conference standings and considered a surprise contender.
In a statement released by the team, Ball expressed his frustration but remained optimistic about his recovery. He said, “this has been a frustrating process, but I’m confident these next steps are the best path forward.”
The Bulls acquired Ball in a sign-and-trade deal with the New Orleans Pelicans last summer, hoping that he would provide some much-needed playmaking and defense to their backcourt. Ball lived up to the expectations, averaging 12.8 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game before his injury.
Without Ball, the Bulls will have to rely on their remaining guards like Zach LaVine and Alex Caruso to fill the void. The team will also have to explore the trade market and free agency for potential replacements.
The news of Ball’s surgery is undoubtedly a setback for the Bulls, but they will have to find a way to overcome it if they want to compete for a championship. As for Ball, he’ll have to focus on his rehabilitation and come back stronger for the next season.
