Lonzo Ball returns to NBA action after three years

Anthony Valmoria
Oct 17 2024

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball returned to action on an NBA basketball court in nearly three years when he played against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Bulls preseason game on Wednesday night, October 16. 

The 6-foot-6 guard last played on January 14, 2022 following a series of injuries. Ball faced a lot of setbacks during his rehab, and underwent a risky knee cartilage transplant surgery.

Both the Bulls and Ball announced Wednesday night will be his first game back to the NBA.

The crowd erupted as Ball hit his first two shots – both threes – in just the first quarter minutes after checking into the game. 

Ball even made a hustle play in the first half, blocking Julius Randle’s shot on one play and then getting a steal and saving the ball from being out of bounds and throwing it off behind his back – much to the delight of the home crowd at the United Center.

All in all, Ball finished the game with 10 points on 4-6 FG with two three-pointers, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and 1 block in 15 minutes of action.

The Bulls gave Ball the game ball after the game with teammates Coby White and Zach LaVine giving out inspiring post-game messages to their longtime teammate.