CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls haven’t given up hope on Lonzo Ball yet, but the guard’s window for returning this season could be closing after another injury setback.
After taking a 10-day break from running that began March 21, Ball attempted to return to sprinting and lateral drills Tuesday only to experience discomfort in his left knee again.
Ball has been sidelined since undergoing meniscus surgery in January. The Bulls expected him to be return by the end of March, but his recovery has been impeded by a lingering deep bone bruise, which causes discomfort and pain whenever he attempts to move at full speed.
“It’s obviously disappointing,” coach Billy Donovan said before Tuesday night’s 127-106 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at the United Center. “We were hoping that the time he had off could help him propel moving forward to do a little more. That certainly hasn’t been the case.”
The Bulls got 40 points from DeMar DeRozan in the defeat, which capped a season sweep by the Bucks. The Bulls did, however, clinch their first playoff berth since 2017 when the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic.
It will be impossible for Ball to return during the regular season — which concludes Sunday with a road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves — and even a return in the postseason appears increasingly unlikely. The first round of the playoffs begins April 16, allowing little time for Ball to resume sprinting, regain enough fitness to compete in a game and receive clearance for contact from the medical staff.
“We haven’t even got to that point,” Donovan said.
The Bulls were further short-handed Tuesday without Zach LaVine, who was sidelined for the night by the medical staff as he continues to manage a knee injury.
LaVine received injections before the All-Star break in February to combat swelling and discomfort in his left knee, which is a point of concern for LaVine after tearing his ACL in 2017. His availability has remained touch-and-go since then, although his physical comfort on the court appeared to rise in recent 30-point performances.
Before the game, Donovan said the Bulls were unsure if LaVine would be available for Wednesday’s game against the Boston Celtics.
Injuries have dimmed the Bulls’ potential since the start of the season, stripping them of veterans such as Ball and LaVine and young talents such as Patrick Williams. After missing seven weeks with a fractured wrist, Alex Caruso still isn’t 100% while playing through back spasms.
With Ball likely sidelined for the rest of the season, the Bulls’ ability to compete in the playoffs could rely heavily on how well players such as LaVine and Caruso can play through pain.
