After a solid start to the 2024-2025 campaign, Lonzo Ball suffered yet another injury setback. Lucky for Ball—and Bulls fans everywhere—his injury is not related to his lower extremities. With an MRI revealing a Grade 1 to Grade 2 wrist sprain, Ball is expected to be on the shelf for at least the next week or two.
Injury Update: Lonzo Ball sustained a right wrist sprain in the first quarter of last night’s game at Memphis.
Ball will be re-evaluated in 10 days with updates provided as appropriate.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 30, 2024
Bulls Guard Lonzo Ball to be Re-evaluated in 10 Days Following Wrist Injury
Ball’s History of Injuries
Seeing Ball return after being sidelined for two and a half years was one of the best stories in the league. However, it’s troubling to see him sidelined once again by the injury bug. After more than two years of rehab and recovery due to a knee cartilage transplant, Ball needs in-game reps more than anything. He needs an extended opportunity to regain comfort and confidence in his body’s ability to hold up. Thankfully, due to the nature of Ball’s injury, he’ll still be able to work out his lower body as he rests and recovers from his wrist sprain.
Lonzo Ball is officially off the Bulls’ injury report and ready to play tomorrow in their season opener.
Ball becomes the first NBA player to successfully return from a knee cartilage transplant.
The former 2017 No. 2 overall pick is officially back after almost three years. pic.twitter.com/M4tUxLlpaG
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 22, 2024
Bulls Outlook Without Lonzo Ball
Perhaps both fortunately and unfortunately, the Bulls have ample experience playing without Lonzo Ball. Additionally, with the offseason acquisition of Josh Giddey, they have a lead guard who’s more than capable of carrying the playmaking load. The Bulls, who sit at 2-2, have been surprisingly competitive throughout the early season. They’ve had impressive wins over both Milwaukee and Memphis.
They’ve put up respectable fights even in their two losses. Lonzo Ball, who’s been playing 15.1 minutes per game, has been a nice change-of-pace bench player. But during his absence, the Bulls have other players they can lean on. While the Bulls, of course, do not have a one-for-one bench replacement for Ball, they do have options. Specifically, look for a player like Ayo Dosunmu to step up in a big way as Ball recovers.
The Last Word
Led by the likes of Coby White, Zach LaVine, Josh Giddey, and Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls are talented enough to remain at least semi-competitive. Regardless of Lonzo Ball’s injury status, Head Coach Billy Donovan will continue to coach to win. As the Bulls’ roster currently stands, there are just too many talented veterans not to remain competitive.
Injury absences are of course nothing new to Lonzo Ball, but thankfully all indications point to this most recent absence being a short one. It’s going to be a shame to see Ball once again sidelined and in street clothes. But as long as Ball’s not on the sideline due to an injury involving his knee, things remain optimistic for the former number-two pick.
