Lonzo Ball returns to Chicago Bulls after nearly three-year absence: 'I can still be productive and effective'

For the first time in nearly three years, Lonzo Ball donned a Chicago Bulls jersey and attended an NBA game on Wednesday night.

Ball checked into the preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves 6 minutes, 8 seconds into the first quarter, earning a loud ovation from the United Center crowd while his teammates gave fans a solemn signal to welcome his return. Less than 30 seconds later, he sank his first shot attempt, sinking a three-pointer from the corner.

It had been 1,006 days since Ball suffered what appeared to be a minor meniscus injury in his left knee that led to three surgeries, two seasons on the sidelines and looming doubts about his ability to ever return. But if Ball was nervous before returning to the court, he didn't admit it after the shooting at the Advocate Center on Wednesday morning.

“I'm just happy to be back,” Ball said. “I've been playing basketball for 20 years, so the game hasn't really changed. I’m just happy to be back on the pitch.”

Ball has suffered no setbacks since returning to five-on-five action in August, despite being off the field before training camp due to a COVID-19 infection and losing nearly 10 pounds. After gaining his weight back, Ball said he felt strong and was ready to play in a live game.

The Bulls are keeping expectations low for Ball's return to the court — he had a firm 16-minute limit. Donovan previously said the Bulls wanted to make sure Ball would likely be on the field within four to six minutes.

Ball was blunt about the reality of his return. He still regularly suffers from knee pain, a nagging constant that he will keep in mind for the rest of his career. And he won't be the same player on the field – not on Wednesday and perhaps never.

“It’s definitely going to be different,” Ball said. “It’s not the same body I started with. But I think I can still be productive and effective on the pitch. That's why I still try to play. … I feel comfortable out there. Otherwise, I just have to play basketball.”

Still, this is an important milestone for both Ball and the future of sports medicine. No player has returned to the NBA — or any major American professional sports league — after a knee cartilage transplant.

Ball received two transplants in his third and final surgery, one to completely replace his meniscus and the other to replace the cartilage that separates the bone in the knee from other parts of the joint. This combination only increased the severity and rarity of the treatment — and Ball's chances of a full recovery.

As those odds grew, the collective voice of the NBA agreed with the same sentiment: “The league is better with the ball.” The guard said he had an outpouring of support from teammates and opponents both publicly on social media and privately receive.

Ball also thanked the Bulls organization, which has continued to emphasize the importance of a slow and steady return to maintaining his health for the rest of his career – even if he doesn't stay in Chicago.

“They could have just pushed me aside and moved on,” Ball said. “Instead, they were by my side the entire time, giving me the best treatment and the best help I could get. All the hard work didn't just come from me. It’s a collective unity and it was worth having me back on the pitch today.”