Lonzo Ball Speaks on His Recovery and the "What-Ifs" of the Bulls' Season

AUGUST 22, 2023 19:00

In a candid conversation on "From the Point by Trae Young" podcast, Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball confirmed he would be sidelined for the 2023-24 NBA season. This announcement follows a cartilage transplant in his left knee that took place in March.

Though the road to recovery has been fraught with challenges and uncertainties, Ball now expresses a renewed sense of hope and determination.

A Long Road to Diagnosis and Recovery

Describing the tumultuous journey post-injury, Ball shared, "When I first got hurt, we didn't really know what it was.

I was seeing all types of different doctors. That was really hard for me because I just didn't know what the next day was going to be like." The uncertainty surrounding his injury had been daunting, to say the least. But with the successful surgery and a solid recovery plan in place, Ball feels optimistic about the future. "At least now, I got the surgery.

We've been on plan. I'm on track," he declared, entrusting his recovery journey to both medical professionals and divine providence.

The "What-Ifs" and the Bulls' Golden Run

Before the unfortunate twist of fate that saw Ball's knee injury, the Chicago Bulls were cruising as the No.

1 seed in the Eastern Conference. The team had enjoyed a stellar 27-13 start to the season, standing tall atop the conference for most of the first half. The synergy and dynamism were palpable, and Ball's absence had naturally raised questions about what the Bulls' season could have looked like with him on the court.

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Ball remarked, "It's going to be a big what-if. I feel bad, just for the [Bulls'] GMs because I feel like they made the perfect team around me." Lonzo's regret is evident, not only for his personal setback but for the collective dream that the Bulls had nurtured.

"That injury -- I'm still going through it right now, but that one messed me up early because I felt like we had a chance and never got to see what it was." As the Bulls march forward and Ball focuses on his rehabilitation, fans and pundits alike will be left with the tantalizing question of what might have been.

But for Ball, the priority remains his health, and with his unwavering spirit, there's hope he'll bounce back stronger than ever.