The end of a long recovery is still in sight for Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball, who may require a third surgery on his left knee.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported On Thursday, that Ball may require a third procedure, which would result in at least six months of additional recovery. The report did not specify what the procedure would entail, but the surgery will most likely take place by the end of March.
If the procedure requires a six-month recovery window, it could already raise questions about Ball’s availability for the start of the 2023-24 season.
Ball underwent meniscus surgery in January 2022 and arthroscopic debridement on Sept. 28 while trying to recover from the baffling knee injury that sidelined him for nearly 14 months. The The last time he played in a game was January 14, 2022and since then he has been unable to run or jump without pain.
The Bulls medical staff worked in tandem with Ball’s representative team, allowing him to receive input from a variety of specialists. But more than a year after suffering the injury, he the source of the guardian’s lingering pain it has not been confirmed yet.
Although Ball has progressed since the debridement in September — which allowed him to begin basic activities like running on the treadmill and shooting — the Bulls continued to stress that he is nowhere near being back on the court.
Ball, who signed a four-year, $85 million contract in August 2021, is under contract through 2024-25, a lengthy commitment that has hampered the Bulls in trade maneuvers. He played just 35 games in Chicago, averaging 13 points and 5.1 assists.
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