Donovan says Ball's knee surgery will be scheduled for next week
Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will wait until next week to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, according to coach Billy Donovan.
Speaking before Friday's game in Milwaukee, Donovan said the 6-8 week projected timeline on Ball's recovery will begin once the procedure is complete.
"What we're going to do at this point is use about a week here to allow him to rehab to a certain degree and do some strengthening going into surgery," Donovan said. "So it probably will be scheduled sometime next week."
There were reports of Ball having a small meniscus tear in his left knee, but Donovan said based on his conversations with the Bulls medical staff, the status of the cartilage is still unclear.
Ball's injury was originally listed as knee soreness, then switched to bone contusion. He missed his fourth game Friday and may not be back until late March.
"Until the surgery happens, no one really knows where the meniscus is at," Donovan said. "I think the surgeons have to get in there to really get a clear understanding of what's causing the problem, besides the bone bruise. I think he's in good spirits. It was his choice to do this after going though some of the therapy he got."
LaVine shows progress:
Zach LaVine could return from his knee injury next week if he continues to show good progress, coach Billy Donovan said Friday. LaVine missed his fourth full game in Milwaukee after he felt something in his left knee while landing after a jump against Golden State.
"He's doing well. He's on the court, he's working," Donovan said. "He's responded very, very well to his treatment. We feel pretty good with where he's at.
"I think we're optimistic that maybe middle to late next week if things continue to trend the way they are, but he's responded very positively. Every day it seems to have gotten better and better."
Donovan said Derrick Jones Jr. (right knee bone bruise) is back to running on the treadmill and Javonte Green (adductor strain) is getting closer to a return. Green has been pushing his rehab to the point where he starts to feel some pain, then takes a day off and tries to push further.
"Javonte, he's gotten better, but there are certain things that still done at a high level in terms of cutting, moving, sprinting, decelerating - those things at times give him a little bit of trouble and then we have to pull back a little bit," Donovan said. "I still don't know the return date."
Bulls horns:
This was the first of four meetings between the Bulls and Bucks this season. Game 2 isn't until March 4 at the United Center. ... Milwaukee headed into this one 3-6 in its last nine games. Guard Jrue Holiday played for the second time since missing six with an injury. ... The Bulls are 16-1 this season when they win the bench points.
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