CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Bulls guard Lonzo Ball’s return to NBA game action went as well as he and the organization could’ve imagined.
Playing in his first game in more than 2 1/2 years as he has dealt with a series of debilitating left knee injuries, Ball scored 10 points, played solid defense and felt “great” as the Bulls held on for a 125-123 win against the Timberwolves on Wednesday evening at the United Center in preseason action. Afterward, a thankful Ball praised teammates, the organization and fans for all their support, while the Bulls presented him with the game ball in the postgame locker room.
“It felt a lot better playing than watching, I’ll say that much,” Ball said. “I can’t even really put into words how I felt out there. I was just blessed and happy to be out there. All the support around me was great all night. It was definitely a moment I’ll never forget.
“I wasn’t thinking about (the knee) at all, so that’s a positive thing. I didn’t feel it at all. I felt like I was moving great. So now it’s just about building and continuing to do it night in and night out.”
It had been 1,006 days, to be exact, since Ball had played in an NBA game. He had last taken the floor on Jan. 14, 2022 – in the middle of a breakout season for a new-look Bulls squad – after which he was sidelined by left knee pain. In the ensuing 15 months, Ball underwent three knee surgeries. Neither of the first two proved to be the solution to Ball’s persistent pain. At one early point in his health saga, he sadly noted that it was painful to even walk up the stairs of his home.
In March 2023, Ball underwent a cartilage transplant in his injured left knee, a last-ditch effort to save his NBA career. As part of the rare operation, Ball received a new meniscus from a donor and also had a bone allograft. He gradually rehabbed and progressed from there over the next 18 months.
As Ball noted in his postgame interview Wednesday, many believed he wouldn’t return to NBA action. He believed he would, and so too did his teammates, Ball said. And that was plenty of motivation in his mind.
“They’ve been behind me the whole time, helping me go, keep pushing me,” Ball said.
“I’m just blessed, man. A lot of people helped me get here, not just myself. Just to see the crowd and all the love I get from the city, you can’t replicate that in any type of way. And it’s real. So I appreciate everybody.”
Ball was on a 16-minute limit Wednesday and ended up logging 15:07 of game time across three stints. He shot 4-of-6 from the field and hit his first two shots, both 3-pointers. Ball also added one rebound, one assist, one block and one steal and didn’t commit a turnover.
His strong help defense was on full display, including when he blocked Wolves forward Julius Randle as he posted up near the rim. Ball’s most notable play was when he stole the ball and flew into his own bench to save it from going out of bounds.
“All of the instinctive plays, that’s not going to go anywhere,” Ball said. “It’s more about the on-ball and getting over screens like I used to, getting that back. Like I said, off the ball, I feel comfortable.”
Bulls coach Billy Donovan was impressed with Ball's performance but not surprised, noting that he played Wednesday as he had been in practice recently.
“I thought he moved really, really well,” Donovan said.. “I think one of the things I talked about before the game was to see him defensively, see him getting over screens, playing in pick-and-roll. And I think he did a great job on all of those things.
“It was great just to see him be able to get back out there on the floor and obviously play as well as he did too.”
The Bulls have long maintained that the key aspect once Ball returns is how he’ll feel the day after playing. With that in mind, the plan is for Ball to continue his usual rehab and have a lighter day of practice Thursday. Asked if he’ll play Friday in the Bulls’ preseason finale, Ball responded “for sure.”
It will be the next step and – if all goes as Ball hopes – one of many more to come.
“I had a goal to get back on the court, and I knew it was a long journey, a long process, but it all paid off,” Ball said. “Because this was what I was looking forward to. So I’m just glad it’s here now and I can finally go out and do what I love to do.”
Cody Westerlund is an editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.