Lonzo Ball planning to return to Bulls for final postseason push: 'I feel like we can beat anybody'

Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune on Mar 26, 2025

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CHICAGO — Lonzo Ball will not make his return against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night at the United Center — but the Chicago Bulls guard is hopeful he will be available before the end of the regular season.

Ball missed the last 12 games with a sprained right wrist, an injury that occurred in an October game against the Memphis Grizzlies. At the time, Ball said he narrowly avoided a Grade 3 sprain, which would have required immediate season-ending surgery. He was able to return after a 15-game absence, but the injury never fully healed.

After nearly two full months back on the court, Ball reaggravated the injury in February — a frustrating setback in a comeback season for the guard after missing 33 months due to a left knee injury.

Although he will require another week to return to in-game conditioning, Ball participated in Wednesday’s practice at the Advocate Center, which included a round of 5-on-5 scrimmaging.

“I’m happy to be back out there,” Ball said. “I just want to get a little bit more comfortable, want to get back into the playing rhythm. I’ve been out, I don’t want to come back too early and just do something that doesn’t need to be done.”

Returning by the end of the regular season will come at a price. Ball’s wrist is not pain-free — and will not be until he undergoes a more extensive recovery process in the offseason.

While he has avoided risk of further injury or surgery, Ball will continue to play through discomfort. His shot was visibly stiff during scrimmages, creating a shallow arc that missed off the front of the rim.

Still, Ball’s return will offer a crucial lift to the Bulls (32-40) as they make a final postseason push — they enter Thursday in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, one game ahead of the Miami Heat with 10 remaining. He was averaging 7.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists before the injury, sparking the offense in transition and providing a veteran anchor on defense.

“We’re in a pretty good spot right now at ninth,” Ball said. “We’re gearing up to be in the play-in. We know we got to win two games. That’s the goal for us right now. That’s why I’m just trying to get as healthy as possible before that happens and do what I can to help the team.”

On paper, the Bulls rostered an excess of guards after their final moves at the trade deadline. But injuries have reduced that to a limited pool.

Ayo Dosunmu underwent season-ending surgery on his left shoulder this month. Josh Giddey missed a week after suffering a sprained right ankle against the Indiana Pacers. The moment Giddey was ready to return, Tre Jones suffered a sprain in his left foot that placed him in a walking boot for at least two weeks.

As a result, the Bulls have leaned heavily on guard Coby White, who has averaged 35.4 minutes since the All-Star break.

“People was shooting on us for having 20 guards, but I guess it’s coming in handy right now,” Ball said jokingly.

Ball did not travel with the Bulls during their recent six-game trip, in which the Bulls went 4-2, upsetting the Lakers and Denver Nuggets to improve to 8-2 in their last 10 games. The time at home for Ball prevented potential swelling and agitation to the sprain that can be caused by air travel, offering additional time to rehab both his wrist and knee.

During his absence, Ball praised White and Giddey for their individual performances and team leadership to buoy the Bulls through this positive stretch of the season.

“I was super proud of them,” Ball said. “I was watching the games. I was screaming at the TV, man. That’s probably the best games of this year, the best stretch for sure. It’s been an up-and-down season, but it’s a great time to get hot right now. … With Coby playing how he’s playing, I feel like we can beat anybody.”