Latest Lonzo Ball injury update brings major optimism for Bulls guard

The road to recovery for Lonzo Ball has been long, and it's one that has led to many questioning whether the 26-year-old would ever play another NBA game again. 

But from the sound of it, Ball, who has undergone three surgeries in two years on his left knee, is trending towards returning to action in the 2024-25 NBA season for the Chicago Bulls.

According to The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry, Bulls officials are "confident" Ball will play in the upcoming season.

"Team officials are confident Ball, out since Jan. 14, 2022, due to a chronic knee ailment, will play next season," Mayberry wrote. "They’re just not as confident about when."

While that's a major cause for optimism, Mayberry did state that it doesn't seem like Ball will be available for the Bulls' opener.

"Opening night doesn’t sound likely," Mayberry wrote. "However, Ball sounds hellbent on returning each time he’s asked publicly. It will be something of a miracle for Ball to take an NBA court again after what could be a three-year absence."

Regardless of when Ball returns to game action, the story will be the fact that he even managed to return at all. Many young players have had their careers derailed due to knee injuries, including names like Brandon Roy and Greg Oden.

Ball signed a four-year, $85M contract with the Bulls as part of a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Pelicans in 2021. He's only been able to suit up for 35 games with the team since that point, but in the short span posted the best shooting stretch of his career. Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists while shooting 42.3% from the field and beyond the arc.

If and when Ball returns to action this coming season, it'll be an incredible step in the right direction for a great comeback story, although he's certain to be eased into the action once that time comes.