On the second episode of his podcast “What An Experience,” Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball opened up about the severe knee injury that sidelined him for over two and a half years.
The injury required three surgeries on the same knee, including a significant procedure to replace his meniscus.
Ball explained that the injury originated with a meniscus tear during his time with the Lakers, which worsened over time, leading to a lack of meniscus and bone-on-bone contact in his knee.
To address this, he underwent surgeries to receive a new meniscus from a donor, a bone allograft, and cartilage transplant.
Despite the challenges, Ball is now nearing full health, stating that he believes he could return to the court if he wished.
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While he acknowledges that he’s not yet at his desired level of fitness, he’s making progress week by week and is optimistic about the future.
Expressing confidence in his ability to play for the Bulls this season, Ball is determined to make a successful comeback.
Returning to the court after such a prolonged absence would be a significant achievement, potentially making history in the process.
Ball’s journey back to health has been marked by challenges, with moments where even simple tasks were painful.
However, he is now focused on his recovery and looks forward to making his return to competitive basketball.
As he enters the final year of his contract with the Bulls, Ball’s upcoming season is pivotal.
He recently exercised his player option, committing to the team for another year.
According to his father LaVar, Ball is expected to be ready for full-contact basketball within four to five months, aligning with the start of the regular season in October.
