It's still unclear when Lonzo Ball will return to the court.
Ball showed a lot of promise when he first joined the Bulls, but he's been sidelined with a knee injury since the middle of the 2021-22 season. While he wasn't expected to miss this much time at first, he's experienced a number of setbacks on his road to recovery.
What exactly is wrong with Ball's knee and will he be able to play in the NBA again?
Here's everything we know about Ball's injury and the latest on when he could return.
What's wrong with Lonzo Ball?
The Bulls listed Ball on the injury report throughout the 2022-23 season with left knee surgery.
On Jan. 20, 2022, it was reported that Ball had been diagnosed with a "small meniscus tear" in his left knee. The Bulls announced the same day that he would undergo arthroscopic surgery and was expected to return in six to eight weeks.
10 weeks later, the Bulls shut down Ball for the remainder of the season because he continued to "experience pain with high-level physical activity."
Ball underwent an arthroscopic debridement ahead of the 2022-23 season. There was initially confidence that he would return during the season, but he was later shut down again due to persisting pain and discomfort.
News broke of Ball needing a third surgery on his knee on March 16, 2023.
Will Lonzo Ball play again?
Ball confirmed on the "From The Point Podcast by Trae Young" that he won't play in the 2023-24 season.
"Just taking it day by day, bro," Ball told Young. "I just had a really big surgery — hopefully the last one I ever have to get. But it's a long process. I'm already out this whole next season.
"When I first got hurt, we didn't really know what it was. I've seen all type of different doctors and stuff. I was kind of just going up and down, and that was really hard for me because I just didn't know what the next day was going to be like.
"At least now, I got the surgery, we got a plan moving forward. We've been on plan, I'm on track, so hopefully everything works out. I just leave it up to God and do the best I can and live with the results."
When The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Ball needed a third surgery on his knee, he added that the sides are "optimistic of the procedure reviving Ball's career." More recently, Ball made it clear that he plans to play again.
"For me, I know what I’ve got to do to get back," he said. "And I’m just on the path of doing what I’ve got to do every day. Taking it step by step. I don’t look too far ahead. I know in my near future that I will be back on the court, for sure."
The No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Ball has appeared in 252 career games over five seasons.
Lonzo Ball contract details
Ball signed a four-year, $80 million contract with the Bulls in 2021. His deal includes a player option for the 2024-25 season, making him a potential unrestricted free agent in the 2025 offseason.
| Season | Salary |
| 2023-24 | $20,465,117 |
| 2024-25 | $21,395,348 (PO) |
| 2025-26 | UFA |
Lonzo Ball stats
- 11.9 points per game
- 6.2 assists per game
- 5.7 rebounds per game
- 1.6 steals per game
- 0.6 blocks per game
- 2.5 turnovers per game
- 40.0 percent field goal shooting
- 36.4 percent 3-point shooting
- 57.8 percent free throw shooting
