The Chicago Bulls shut down Lonzo Ball for a second consecutive season Tuesday as the purpose guard continues to wrestle with discomfort and ache in his left knee.
The determination was made 13 months after Ball initially injured his meniscus final January.
“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,” govt vice chairman of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas mentioned in a press release.
“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.”
Ball hasn’t performed basketball or been pain-free since Jan. 14, 2022, when he suffered a small tear within the meniscus of his left knee. He underwent an preliminary surgical procedure two weeks later earlier than starting a flummoxing restoration course of that was additionally slowed by a bone bruise in the identical knee.
The Bulls shut Ball down on April 6, hoping the offseason would offer sufficient time for his discomfort to dissipate. Instead, the guard mentioned he continued to expertise ache even when going via primary actions round the home, comparable to strolling up the steps.
Ball underwent an arthroscopic debridement process on Sept. 28. Both procedures have been carried out in Los Angeles with coordination between the Bulls medical workers and Ball’s private docs.
Since then, any updates have remained bleak. Ball has nonetheless not returned to working, leaping or chopping at a severe degree for knowledgeable athlete. While he has made some progress — comparable to having the ability to jog on a treadmill and leap sufficient to frivolously dunk from below the rim, which he documented on Instagram — Ball nonetheless can’t play basketball.
The focus for Ball now pivots to subsequent season as he makes an attempt to return to the beginning lineup for the Bulls. The guard is below contract via the 2024-25 season, a proven fact that has hampered the group’s flexibility in commerce maneuvering.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com