Bulls News

Billy Donovan says Lonzo Ball is eager to get back but just can't at the moment

The waiting game continues for both Lonzo Ball and the Chicago Bulls.
Stephen Beslic|
© Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Chicago Bulls

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan gave an update on the team's injured starting point guard Lonzo Ball, saying the dynamic two-way player still does not have a timetable to run, much less return to the NBA floor.

Small steps

Donovan reported that he recently spoke with Ball and learned that the 6-foot-6 guard is progressing toward running. However, it remains unclear when he'll receive clearance to do that, considering the last time he attempted to do that on a treadmill designed to take some weight off the user, he experienced pain in his knee.

However, Donovan is relieved that Ball has not experienced any setbacks despite the slow recovery.

"We haven't had anything that's been like, 'Oh, geez, we're back at square one.' It's just slow, unfortunately," said Donovan. "It's just managing the pain and discomfort he's feeling."

The road toward a return to an NBA floor remains long and arduous for Ball. The task of getting his conditioning and timing back to game speed comes if and when he receives clearance to run. But despite all of the obstacles, Donovan said Ball still has a positive attitude and is eager to return to the court.

"He loves to play. There are some guys where maybe this is a job. He just loves to play. And when you see a guy eager to get back and it's taken away from him, you feel for him," Donovan added.

Bulls unable to stay afloat

While the Bulls' downward spiral cannot be pinned solely on Ball's absence, his absence has significantly impacted the team's ability to stay afloat. Without Ball to facilitate the offense and be the point of attack on defense, the Bulls have stumbled to an 11-18 record, suffering one puzzling defeat after another, including a 150-126 shellacking at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.

Published
Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

Home/News