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Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball continued his journey back to the NBA court on Tuesday by playing some 5-on-5 during open runs in Los Angeles.
HoopsWrld @HoopsWrld0
Lonzo Ball , Jaren Jackson Jr, and Daniel Gafford spotted in LA open runs.🔥✅<br><br>Via Chris Johnson <a href=”https://t.co/GL9n2ALAao”>pic.twitter.com/GL9n2ALAao</a>
Ball has been out since January 2021 with a left knee injury and has since had three knee procedures, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
He had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in January 2022 before having an arthroscopic debridement of his left knee in September 2022. Cartilage transplant surgery followed in March 2023.
But there’s certainly optimism for hope that Ball can return in 2024-25. Namely, he provided it with these comments to TMZ Sports.
“[Fans can expect] me back on the court,” Ball said in response to whether he can be expected back next year. “That’s all I want to do.”
The 26-year-old is on the final season of a four-year, $80 million contract. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 35 games during a 2021-22 campaign that saw the team go 22-13 with him and 24-23 without him.
If Ball’s able to get anywhere close back to that form, it’ll be a huge boost to a team looking to break through to the playoffs for the first time since that 2021-22 season. Chicago is already facing an uphill battle in that regard after losing leading scorer DeMar DeRozan via free agency, but getting Ball back can certainly help.
