Lonzo Ball hits setback in recovery, return to Bulls appears unlikely
After a 10-day break from running, then a few more days for a slow increase of activity, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball continues to feel pain in his left knee, according to coach Billy Donovan.
With less than a week remaining in the regular season, it's becoming more apparent that Ball will not return in time to join the Bulls for the playoffs. He's been out since Jan. 14 and had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in late January.
"Obviously, we're running out of games and time and things like that and I think all those things will be taken into consideration," Donovan said before Tuesday's game. "They did try to ramp him up some. He is having some discomfort, which is obviously disappointing. I'm not really quite sure what the next step is. I think the plan is to continue to talk to the doctors."
The original timeline released by the Bulls was a 6-8 week recovery after surgery. That has now gone past 10 weeks with no end in sight.
Ball hadn't been able to run full speed or do any cutting, so doctors decided to give him the 10-day break in hopes of being able to take that next step. Donovan didn't have any details on what will happen next or if the organization would be OK with a return during the playoffs.
"We haven't even gotten to that point," Donovan said. "I think those are all things that will probably be discussed with the doctors and the organization. In terms of decisions being made going forward, that hasn't happened.
"I know they'll obviously be talking, today, tomorrow, putting their heads together and trying to come up with the best things we can do with his health."
Ball played in 35 games this season after being acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with New Orleans last summer. Ball averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists. The Bulls have really missed his defense since he's been out.
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