Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is expected to be shut down for the remainder of the season, sources confirmed to The Athletic. Ball has been rehabbing from meniscus surgery in late January, but continues to feel discomfort amid several recovery methods to return to action and a bone bruise in his knee.
Ball, 24, underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a small meniscus tear in his left knee in January. He was expected to return after 6-8 weeks. Ball received arthroscopic surgery on that same knee in 2018.
Ball joined the Bulls on a four-year, $85 million contract in August after a sign-and-trade that sent Tomáš Satoranský, Garrett Temple and a second-round pick to the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the season.
Chicago is fifth in the Eastern Conference standing with a 45-33 record.
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GO DEEPER
Zach LaVine sits, Lonzo Ball is out for season and Bulls get swept by Bucks
Was this news surprising?
Darnell Mayberry, Bulls beat writer: It's far more disappointing than surprising. As the season snaked on, this outcome grew in likelihood. Ball has been experiencing ongoing discomfort to the point his recovery was scaled back to limit him from sprinting. With only four games remaining in the Bulls' regular season, Ball simply ran out of time.
The Bulls wouldn't want Ball to return during the intensity of the playoffs when he hasn't played since Jan. 14. The smart decision was to shut him down.
How the Bulls' guard play is impacted without Ball?
Mayberry: Without Ball, the Bulls lose significant defensive versatility and 3-point shooting efficiency. When healthy, Ball often defended four positions, giving the Bulls incredible flexibility on a nightly basis. Ball also was shooting a career-high 42.3 percent from 3-point range on 7.4 attempts.
Rookie guard Ayo Dosunmu has made up for some of Ball's defensive presence but lacks Ball's experience and savvy. Alex Caruso must continue to take on a heavier workload, and Coby White can be a scoring threat off the bench. But the backcourt is thin and unpredictable without Ball.
Expectations for the backcourt in the playoffs?
Mayberry: Dosunmu has to grow up fast if he continues to serve as the emergency starting point guard. He's been erratic in the second half of the season, and rarely do rookie point guards excel in the playoffs. The jump to postseason basketball is expected to be considerable.
Making matters worse, Caruso is nursing a sore back and Zach LaVine is managing chronic left knee soreness. When whole, the Bulls would be a dangerous playoff contender. But given their current reality, there's no telling what version of the Bulls will show up.