The Bulls will be without Lonzo Ball for an extended period of time.
On Thursday, January 20, The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported that Ball had been diagnosed with a small meniscus tear in his left knee, which can be treated in a number of ways. The Bulls would later provide an update., saying Ball will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, giving him six to eight weeks to return.
MORE: The latest on Zach LaVine’s knee injury
What’s next for Ball and the Bulls? Here’s what we know about his injury and when he might be back in action.
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What is Lonzo Ball’s injury?
After seeing 24 minutes of action on Friday, January 14, Ball was sidelined the following night and missed Chicago’s visit to Boston on Saturday, January 15 with what was initially ruled as “knee pain”.“
On Thursday, January 20, both Charania and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the injury was revealed to be a small meniscus tear in Ball’s left knee.
How long will Lonzo Ball be out?
Per the Bulls’ announcement, Ball will be sidelined for a minimum of six weeks after surgery.
Chicago, which was tied for the best record in the East at the time of the announcement, has 23 games scheduled for the next seven weeks.
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, 2023
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Lonzo Ball’s Injury History
KC Johnson, a Bulls insider for NBC Sports Chicago, added that in the summer of 2018, Ball underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to treat the same injury.
Ball underwent arthroscopic surgery on the same knee in July 2018 to treat another small meniscus tear.
— KC Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 20, 2023
After undergoing surgery in July 2018, Ball’s knee was “100 percent” within two months. Although he was given full participation in training camp in September 2018, Ball played 20 minutes on opening night, three months after the procedure.
During the 2023-22 season, Ball missed time after being placed in the league’s health and safety protocols and, more recently, due to his knee injury.
Bull calendar 2023-22
| Date | Adversary | Time (ET) | national television |
| January 21st | in dollars | 8:00 pm | ESPN |
| January 23 | in magic | 18:00 | – |
| January 25 | in thunder | 8:00 pm | – |
| 26 of January | against raptors | 8:00 pm | – |
| January 28 | in the Spurs | 8:30 pm | – |
| January 30th | vs. Trail Blazers | 3:30 pm | – |
| February 1st | counter magic | 8:00 pm | – |
| February 3rd | in the raptors | 7:30 pm | – |
| february 4 | on the pacers | 7:00 p.m. | – |
| February 6th | against the 76ers | 3:30 pm | – |
