Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has been diagnosed with a small meniscus tear in his left knee, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.
The team announced Thursday, Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to return in six-to-eight weeks.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan had addressed the possibility of surgery on Wednesday, noting “we haven’t gotten to that point,” per NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson. Donovan had told reporters Ball was receiving therapeutic treatment to try to alleviate knee pain.
Ball hasn't played since Jan. 14, when the Bulls suffered a 138-96 loss to the Warriors. He had missed three consecutive games prior to Thursday's report.
Ball is in his first season with Chicago, who is currently tied with the Heat atop the Eastern Conference standings. He is averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 34.6 minutes per game.
As noted by NBC Sports Chicago, Ball underwent arthroscopic surgery on same knee in July 2018 to address another small meniscus tear. It is believed he dealt with that injury throughout his rookie season.
