Lonzo Ball, the talented point guard for the Chicago Bulls, has reportedly been shut down for the remainder of the 2022-23 NBA season.
Injury update: Lonzo Ball will not return this season.
“Ball’s focus will continue to be on resolving his malaise and a full return for the 2023-24 season.”
Full statement by Arturas Karnisovas:
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 21, 2023
The decision to shut down Ball for the rest of the season is a blow to the Bulls. Ball had been a key contributor to the team prior to the injury. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season.
The exact details of Ball’s injury have not been released, but it is believed to be a knee problem that has been bothering him for some time. The Bulls have been cautious about Ball’s health all season, as he hasn’t appeared in any games this season.
The Bulls will now have to rely on other players to fill the void. However, the team has several capable guards. Alex Caruso and Coby White could see an increase in playing time with Ball out.
The loss of Ball is undoubtedly a setback for the Bulls, even though the organization knew this was a possibility. The Bulls are led by star guard Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic. In the past they have shown that they can compete with the best teams in the league. However, they will need to be at their best if they hope to get out of the highly competitive Eastern Conference.
The focus now for Ball will be on his recovery and making sure he is fully healthy for next season. It’s always disappointing for a player to lose time due to injury. Bulls fans will eagerly await his return to the field next season.
The Chicago Bulls have +350 to make the playoffs according to Illinois sportsbooks. Losing Ball for the rest of the season could hurt his chances going forward. The team also signed veteran guard Patrick Beverly from the buyout market, adding more depth to the point guard position.
