Chicago Bulls shut Lonzo Ball down for season

The Chicago Bulls announced Tuesday they are shutting down point guard Lonzo Ball for the remainder of the season.

“Despite making significant increases in strength and function over the past several months, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball continues to experience performance-limiting discomfort during participation in high-level basketball-related activities,” Bulls executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas said.

“Considering the required time period to achieve the necessary level of fitness to return to play and the current stage of the NBA season, Ball will not return this season. The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season.”

Ball hasn’t played since January 2022 and underwent two knee surgeries last year. Chicago is 45-56 in the regular season since Ball’s last NBA appearance and lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of last year’s playoffs.

The Bulls are reportedly close to signing guard Patrick Beverley for the remainder of the season. The 34-year-old has earned All-Defensive team honors three times in his career, most recently in 2020.

Ball, 25, has never played more than 63 games in a campaign due to various lower-body injuries.

Originally selected second overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017, Ball holds career averages of 11.9 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 steals across stints with the Bulls, Lakers, and New Orleans Pelicans.

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