Chicago Bulls announced on Tuesday that point guard Lonzo Ball has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign. Ball hasn’t played since last season due to a knee injury; his last game was on Jan. 14, 2022. The 25-year-old Ball is under contract through 2023-24, and his contract also includes a $21.3 million player option for 2024-25.
Bulls executive vie president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said in a news release: “Despite making significant increases in strength and function over the past several months, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball continues to experience performance limiting discomfort during participation in high level basketball-related activities. Considering the required time period to achieve the necessary level of fitness to return-to-play and the current stage of the NBA season, Ball will not return this season. The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season.”
Ball averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 35 starts last season. He was first diagnosed with a bone bruise and meniscus injury, and has undergone two surgeries since then. The Bulls had said that Ball was scheduled to be reevaluated in 4 to 6 weeks after his most-recent surgery in September.
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