2 min read • May 19, 2022
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The Bulls' season ended with a loss to the Bucks on April 27, and since the final buzzer sounded, all non-Zach Lavine talk in Chicago has been focused on the status of Lonzo Ball’s left knee.
ESPN radio’s Dave Kaplan reported earlier this week that there is serious concern within the Bulls organization that Ball’s knee is not improving since his Jan. 28 meniscus surgery.
Ball suffered an internal bone bruise in mid-January that slowed his preparation for the meniscus surgery and has since caused setbacks every time he’s ramped up his workout regimen.
As Dr. David Chao and former Bulls’ team doctor John Hefferon said in mid-April, Ball is likely headed for another knee scope this offseason to address the lingering knee soreness (scope referring to arthroscopic surgery).
Kaplan’s reporting says that Ball would be unable to play even if the Bulls were still alive in the Eastern Conference Finals, adding that people in the organization are worried that he won't be ready to go when training camp opens this summer.
The 24-year-old himself said in his exit interview in April that he’s “at a standstill” and is readying himself to go under the knife again. Ball is well-versed on knee surgeries and recovery, having undergone meniscus surgery as a rookie in 2017.
At the time of Ball’s surgery, the Pro Basketball Docs said they anticipated a six-to-eight week recovery timeline that would bring Ball back in time for the playoffs, but that was a best case scenario timeline with no complications.
Around seven weeks later, on March 21, the Bulls shut down their point guard for 10 days after he felt renewed soreness in the knee.
That cycle has repeated itself multiple times since, as reported by NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson. Ball increases his rehab intensity, the bone bruise causes a flare up of knee soreness and he has to take a step back.
According to Hefferon, chronic setbacks four months post-surgery is an excessively long timetable that assumes he’s suffered from hiccups in his recovery.
Meniscus repairs, Hefferon said, are a generally routine procedure to rehab from, even for players with chronic knee problems. Robert Williams proved this: he underwent surgery on March 30 and was back on the floor on April 23, only 3-and-a-half weeks later.
Ball’s bone bruise is similar to Ja Morant’s, meaning it was caused by internal trauma and recovery generally entails a period of immobilization. Still, four months is a worrisome time frame to still be experiencing complications.
The Bulls signed the former No. 2 overall pick to a four-year, $80 million contract last offseason, and he appeared to be well worth the money in his time on the floor, averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on 42.1% shooting from three while helping Chicago to a 27-13 record through January 14.
Ball’s backcourt mate, Zach Lavine, will undergo a knee scope this offseason to address his lingering knee soreness and swelling, although the ailment didn't keep him off the floor in the playoffs.
Lavine is an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
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