The Chicago Bulls may finally have their starting point guard back in the lineup soon. According to sources close to the situation, Lonzo Ball is eyeing a return to action this Wednesday against the Orlando Magic after missing over three weeks with a sprained left wrist.
Ball Ramping Up Workouts Ahead of Anticipated Return
Ball, who hasn’t played since spraining his wrist on a hard fall against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 28th, has been ramping up his on-court work in recent days. The 27-year-old guard went through an extensive workout in front of Bulls coaches on Saturday, then followed it up with another intense session on Tuesday morning.
Barring any setbacks, multiple sources indicate that both Ball and the Bulls are now targeting Wednesday’s road tilt with the Magic for his return. His status will likely be updated to questionable on the official injury report as the team monitors his response to the increased workload.
Another Hurdle Cleared in Comeback Attempt
The news of a probable Wednesday return marks yet another positive step in what has been an arduous comeback process for Ball. The wrist sprain was just the latest in a long line of injuries that have limited the talented playmaker over the past few seasons.
Ball missed the final 47 games of the 2021-22 campaign due to a torn meniscus in his left knee that eventually required two surgical procedures. He then suffered bone bruise setbacks in the same knee this summer that delayed his 2022-23 debut.
The former No. 2 overall pick finally returned on opening night against the Miami Heat, but has appeared in just three games total before suffering the wrist injury in Memphis. In his limited action, Ball averaged 4.7 points, 3.7 assists and 2.7 rebounds in 15.7 minutes.
Reinforcements Much Needed for Inconsistent Bulls
Ball’s impending return comes at a vital time for a Bulls squad still trying to find its footing in the early portion of the season. Chicago has hovered around the .500 mark amid an up-and-down start and currently sits at 9-8 overall, good for 7th place in the Eastern Conference.
With starting small forward DeMar DeRozan also sidelined the past four contests by a strained thigh, the Bulls’ normally potent offense has struggled to generate consistent production. The team is 2-2 in DeRozan’s absence and has cracked the 100-point mark just once.
While Ball will surely need some time to shake off the rust, his return to the starting lineup should provide a much needed jolt on both ends of the floor. When healthy, the UCLA product is one of the game’s most dynamic two-way forces, capable of impacting the game with his passing, perimeter shooting, rebounding and disruptive defense.
In the 35 games Ball did play in a Bulls uniform last season, Chicago sported an impressive 22-13 record. The team’s offensive rating with Ball on the court was a scorching 114.9 points per 100 possessions, a mark that would rank 3rd in the entire league this season.
Starting Lineup Regains Elite Potential
If Ball is indeed able to suit up Wednesday, he will slide back into a starting unit that, when whole, is among the most talented and balanced in the league. Ball’s savvy facilitating and floor spacing should add a new dimension to a group featuring two elite wing scorers in DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, an emerging two-way center in Nikola Vucevic, and underrated role players like Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams.
With LaVine still finding his groove after missing the start of the season rehabbing his own knee injury, Ball’s presence as a secondary creator and catch-and-shoot option could be invaluable. His return also take some of the playmaking burden off of DeRozan, who currently leads the NBA in total points and ranks 3rd in minutes per game.
On the other side of the ball, Ball will bring his disruptive point-of-attack defense and keen instincts to a Bulls defense that has struggled with consistency. After ranking a solid 12th in defensive rating last season, Chicago has slipped to 19th this season, allowing 112.9 points per 100 possessions.
Cautious Optimism Warranted with Ball
For all the excitement Ball’s looming return brings, expectations may need to be tempered early on. Given the length of his layoff and the tricky nature of wrist sprains for shooting and ball handling, some early struggles should be expected as he rediscovers his rhythm and conditioning.
The Bulls’ coaching and medical staff will also likely deploy an extremely cautious approach, gradually ramping up Ball’s minutes and workload to protect against re-injury. It would be surprising to see Ball top the 25-minute mark in his first handful of games.
Questions also still remain about Ball’s durability and ability to stay on the court for the long haul. He has topped the 50-game mark just three times in his six-year NBA career and is now returning from the two most significant injuries of his tenure.
“It will be great to have Lonzo back out there, but we need to be smart with it. The biggest thing is making sure he gets through the whole season healthy. That’s the main goal. We’ll take it slow and continue to evaluate him daily.”
– Statement from a source close to the Bulls
When he’s right, few impact the game in as many ways as Ball does. The Bulls’ chances of living up to their lofty preseason expectations and making a deep playoff run rest heavily on their mercurial point guard rediscovering his All-Star form and, most importantly, staying healthy.
For now, Ball’s imminent return provides a much needed glimmer of hope for a Bulls team still searching for its identity. Starting Wednesday in Orlando, the work begins in earnest for a Chicago squad that knows its championship window depends largely on its floor general answering the bell.
Ball’s impending return comes at a vital time for a Bulls squad still trying to find its footing in the early portion of the season. Chicago has hovered around the .500 mark amid an up-and-down start and currently sits at 9-8 overall, good for 7th place in the Eastern Conference.
With starting small forward DeMar DeRozan also sidelined the past four contests by a strained thigh, the Bulls’ normally potent offense has struggled to generate consistent production. The team is 2-2 in DeRozan’s absence and has cracked the 100-point mark just once.
While Ball will surely need some time to shake off the rust, his return to the starting lineup should provide a much needed jolt on both ends of the floor. When healthy, the UCLA product is one of the game’s most dynamic two-way forces, capable of impacting the game with his passing, perimeter shooting, rebounding and disruptive defense.
In the 35 games Ball did play in a Bulls uniform last season, Chicago sported an impressive 22-13 record. The team’s offensive rating with Ball on the court was a scorching 114.9 points per 100 possessions, a mark that would rank 3rd in the entire league this season.
Starting Lineup Regains Elite Potential
If Ball is indeed able to suit up Wednesday, he will slide back into a starting unit that, when whole, is among the most talented and balanced in the league. Ball’s savvy facilitating and floor spacing should add a new dimension to a group featuring two elite wing scorers in DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, an emerging two-way center in Nikola Vucevic, and underrated role players like Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams.
With LaVine still finding his groove after missing the start of the season rehabbing his own knee injury, Ball’s presence as a secondary creator and catch-and-shoot option could be invaluable. His return also take some of the playmaking burden off of DeRozan, who currently leads the NBA in total points and ranks 3rd in minutes per game.
On the other side of the ball, Ball will bring his disruptive point-of-attack defense and keen instincts to a Bulls defense that has struggled with consistency. After ranking a solid 12th in defensive rating last season, Chicago has slipped to 19th this season, allowing 112.9 points per 100 possessions.
Cautious Optimism Warranted with Ball
For all the excitement Ball’s looming return brings, expectations may need to be tempered early on. Given the length of his layoff and the tricky nature of wrist sprains for shooting and ball handling, some early struggles should be expected as he rediscovers his rhythm and conditioning.
The Bulls’ coaching and medical staff will also likely deploy an extremely cautious approach, gradually ramping up Ball’s minutes and workload to protect against re-injury. It would be surprising to see Ball top the 25-minute mark in his first handful of games.
Questions also still remain about Ball’s durability and ability to stay on the court for the long haul. He has topped the 50-game mark just three times in his six-year NBA career and is now returning from the two most significant injuries of his tenure.
“It will be great to have Lonzo back out there, but we need to be smart with it. The biggest thing is making sure he gets through the whole season healthy. That’s the main goal. We’ll take it slow and continue to evaluate him daily.”
– Statement from a source close to the Bulls
When he’s right, few impact the game in as many ways as Ball does. The Bulls’ chances of living up to their lofty preseason expectations and making a deep playoff run rest heavily on their mercurial point guard rediscovering his All-Star form and, most importantly, staying healthy.
For now, Ball’s imminent return provides a much needed glimmer of hope for a Bulls team still searching for its identity. Starting Wednesday in Orlando, the work begins in earnest for a Chicago squad that knows its championship window depends largely on its floor general answering the bell.
