The Chicago Bulls received a devastating blow after reports of Lonzo Ball potentially missing out on most of the 2023-24 season did the rounds. His in-doubt status for the next season came as a major dampener for fans who were keen to see the guard suit up for Chicago next season.
The Athletic’s Sham’s Charania reported that will undergo a third surgery on his left knee and is expected to miss “most, if not all, of the 2023-24 season.” He further added, “The sides are optimistic of the procedure reviving Ball’s career.”
Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball will undergo a third surgery on his left knee that is expected to cost him most, if not all, of the 2023-24 season, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
The sides are optimistic of the procedure reviving Ball's career. 🙏🏽
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 16, 2023
Needless to say, this garnered ample reactions from fans who wished him a speedy recovery. Some segments were concerned about the plight of the Bulls. One fan believed it was a stroke of bad luck for Chicago and Ball.
This really sucks. He really improved & found his groove in chicago. Injuries suck https://t.co/hG2mzVgxH6
— Eric Weber (@emann0325) March 16, 2023
“Still vividly remember seeing him playing for UCLA in the 2017 March madness and being projected as the guy who was gonna be a superstar in LA, man times change so quickly,” a fan lamented.
Still vividly remember seeing him playing for UCLA in 2017 March madness and being projected as the guy who was gonna be a superstar in LA, man times changes so quickly 😢😢 https://t.co/VLVRrpZrly
— Rag (@ragsports1) March 16, 2023
Prayers weren’t far away.
Prayers for Lonzo 🙏🏾 https://t.co/wvBjVHLKw4
— Johnathan Hooker (@Jhook1507) March 16, 2023
“This would suggest extending Lonzo Ball’s time away from the court to a total of 2+ years. Just a mind-boggling injury timeline for a player this young,” a fan tweeted.
This would suggest extending Lonzo Ball's time away from the court to a total of 2+ years. Just a mind boggling injury timeline for a player this young. https://t.co/YaR1gNAWbz
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) March 16, 2023
One fan was concerned about what it would to the mental health of a player to sit out due to a grueling injury.
Sending some love to zo’s mental I imagine this is hard as hell to go through. https://t.co/HHUY5brrxF
— Jamal Cristopher (@JamCristopher) March 16, 2023
The 25-year-old played just 35 games in the 2021-22 season and has already been shut down for the ongoing edition due to his left knee injuries.
On the floor, Ball has been a force for the side averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. With this devastating news, it looks like Ayo Dosunmu might be filling in for Ball if the side doesn’t look for another guard in the summer.
How Bad Does It Look For The Chicago Bulls Without Lonzo Ball Next Season?
Ball’s absence next season will surely cost the Bulls an elite defender and an improved shooter — qualities that made him one of the most improved point guards in the NBA.
It looks like the Bulls might go shopping in the summer and look for a potential guard in the market who could fill in for Ball. Dosunmu has had a learning curve this season, averaging 9.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, but the possibility of the Bulls looking for a new guard gets stronger with the recent development.
The team has had a dismal season this time, and the mercurial Ball’s absence will only make things tougher for them next season, especially with rumors of the franchise blowing things up doing the rounds.
For now, it’s prayers up for the immensely talented guard, and hoping that he makes a speedy recovery to the court again.
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