Lonzo Ball Unlikely to Return for Play-In Game Against Heat, Says Billy Donovan
As the Chicago Bulls gear up for their critical Play-In Tournament clash against the Miami Heat, head coach Billy Donovan has delivered a sobering update regarding Lonzo Ball’s status: he won’t be suiting up—unless something “happens significantly.”
Donovan’s comments came during a pre-game media session, where he was asked whether Ball, who has been sidelined since January 2022 due to a persistent knee injury, could potentially make a surprise return for the Play-In showdown. “No, he won’t play,” Donovan stated. “Unless something happens significantly between now and then, he’s not coming back.”
The confirmation, while expected, still stings for Bulls fans holding on to hope for Ball’s long-awaited return. The 26-year-old guard has undergone multiple surgeries—including a rare cartilage transplant—since his initial injury, and despite making progress in his rehabilitation, he remains a long way from game-ready condition.
The Long Road Back
Ball’s injury saga has been one of the NBA’s more frustrating storylines over the past two years. After showing flashes of brilliance with the Bulls in the 2021–22 season, including averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game while playing elite perimeter defense, his career was derailed by a mysterious knee ailment that resisted traditional treatment and defied easy diagnosis.
Despite undergoing three procedures on his left knee—one as recently as March 2023—Ball has yet to return to full basketball activities. Donovan acknowledged earlier this season that Ball had begun ramping up individual work and light drills, but has cautioned repeatedly that there’s no timeline for his return.
Bulls March On Without Him
In the meantime, the Bulls have had to forge ahead with a makeshift backcourt, relying on veterans like Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Alex Caruso to carry the load. While they’ve managed to scrape into the Play-In picture, there’s a palpable sense that Ball’s absence has limited the team’s ceiling.
Against the Heat—a team known for its physical, playoff-hardened style—Ball’s presence as a facilitator, floor spacer, and defensive anchor would have been invaluable. Instead, Chicago must lean heavily on DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine to carry the offensive burden, while hoping for a spark from role players.
Glimmer of Hope?
Despite the immediate disappointment, there’s a silver lining in Ball’s slow but steady progress. Recent reports suggest he’s on track for a potential return in the 2025 season, and both Ball and the organization remain cautiously optimistic.
“I’m just taking it day by day,” Ball said in a rare media appearance earlier this year. “I want to get back on the court, but I’ve got to be smart.”
For now, the Bulls will face the Heat without their talented guard, hoping that their current roster can step up when it matters most. And as for Ball—his comeback remains one of the league’s most compelling stories-in-waiting.
