Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Lonzo Ball to undergo surgery on knee, miss six to eight weeks

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Jan 20, 2022 2:34 PM ET

If the Chicago Bulls are to maintain their lead atop the Eastern Conference standings, they'll have to do it without starting point guard Lonzo Ball.

Injury Update: Lonzo Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and is expected to return in 6-8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/MPCSAqHoly
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 20, 2022

The former No. 2 overall pick of the Los Angeles Lakers has missed Chicago's last three games -- two of which have been losses -- as has fellow guard Zach LaVine, who is dealing with a knee injury as well. Third-year pro Javonte Green has been out most of the month due to a groin ailment, starting power forward Patrick Williams is done for the season with a dislocated wrist and forward Derrick Jones Jr. is also on the shelf with a knee injury.

Ball is currently posting career-highs in steals per game (1.8), minutes per game (34.6), shooting percentage (42.3%) and three-point percentage (42.3%). He's first on the team in assists (5.1) and second in rebounds (5.4).

The 24-year-old UCLA product is in his fifth NBA season and first with the Bulls. Ball was acquired by Chicago in August 2021 in a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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