The Bulls could be without Lonzo Ball for an extended period of time.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Ball has been diagnosed with a small meniscus tear in his left knee, which can be treated in a number of ways.
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has been diagnosed with a small meniscus tear in his left knee and is evaluating treatment options, sources say. @ElAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 20, 2022
In his first season with the Bulls, Ball is averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists while Chicago remains atop the Eastern Conference.
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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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?
According to Charania, “there is hope” that Ball can play despite the injury, while a minor procedure would be the alternative route, sidelining the 24-year-old for “several weeks”.
Wojnarowski has reported that Ball and the Bulls will make a decision in the coming days with the understanding that an arthroscopic procedure on his left knee will sideline him for four to six weeks.
The Chicago Bulls and guard Lonzo Ball are expected to make the decision to undergo arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee in the next 24-48 hours, a procedure that would sideline him for 4-6 weeks, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 20, 2022
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, 2022
After undergoing surgery in July 2018, Ball’s knee was “100 percent” in 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 2021-22 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 2021-22
| 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 | – |