(670 The Score) The latest update on Bulls guard Lonzo Ball's health is sobering.
Ball, 24, is expected to miss training camp and likely the start of the regular season as he continues to deal with a left knee injury, ESPN reported Friday evening. Ball underwent surgery in late January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, and he didn't return for the end of the season after initially being expected to. Complicating matters for months has been a bone bruise in the knee, which the Bulls have acknowledged is a contributing factor to his discomfort every time he attempts to ramp up his activity.
Ball's status for the start of the regular season is "doubtful," ESPN reported. Ball's knee is structurally sound, ESPN reported, but he continues to experience pain in it while conducting his rehab process in Los Angeles.
"He's getting better, probably not at the sped that we would like," Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said at Summer League in July.
The Bulls start training camp in late September. Their regular-season opener is Oct. 19.
Ball played in 35 games this season, averaging 13 points and 5.1 assists while also shooting 42.3% from 3-point range on high volume. Ball was crucial to the Bulls' identity, as he was a strong defender, the catalyst of their transition game that was so successful early on and then a floor spacer and connector of their offense in the half-court setting.
The Bulls were 22-13 when Ball played and 24-23 when he didn't in the regular season. Ball also watched from the sideline as the Bulls lost in five games to the Bucks in the first round of the playoffs.
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