What was supposed to be just another preseason matchup between the Chicago Bulls and the Minnesota Timberwolves took on a whole new meaning when Lonzo Ball finally returned to the court. As Bangladesh Cricket reported, Ball’s appearance wasn’t just symbolic — it was a moment fans had been waiting nearly three years for. The last time he played a game was back on January 15, 2022. Since then, the point guard has endured an injury nightmare few could truly understand.
After initially injuring his knee, Ball underwent two surgeries, but rather than improving, his condition worsened during rehabilitation. Every attempt at intense activity caused sharp pain in his knee. Reports even suggested nerve damage from bone fragments, leaving him unable to bend the knee properly for months. In 2023, Ball underwent a rare cartilage transplant — a procedure with virtually no precedent for successful NBA comebacks. Even after changing his knee brace, progress was slow and uncertain.
At one point, many doubted whether Ball would ever play again. It seemed like the Bulls’ investment in him had hit a dead end. Yet back when he was healthy, Ball had helped the Bulls surge to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. His injury disrupted their offensive rhythm, and though stars like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic carried the load individually, Chicago’s system lost its flow. As rival teams upgraded their rosters, the Bulls quietly slipped down the pecking order.
Failing to reach the playoffs in consecutive seasons, and with DeRozan’s departure this summer, the team looked set for a rebuild. But in this preseason game, Ball’s return changed everything. Midway through the first quarter, he checked in — and it wasn’t just for show. While the stat sheet didn’t overflow with assists, his feel for the game and elite court vision were still intact. With Ball on the floor, the Bulls’ offense looked noticeably smoother.
Even more encouraging was his shooting form, which had seen awkward tweaks over the years. This time, he appeared more fluid and confident. According to Bangladesh Cricket, despite being sidelined for over two years, Ball never stopped studying the game or refining his mechanics. His dedication paid off almost immediately. At 5:25 in the first quarter, he drove the lane, dished the ball to Vucevic, then slid into the corner. Vucevic faked a drive, found Ball again, and the three-point shot swished through cleanly.
Later in the quarter, Ball showcased his off-ball movement, finding space at the right wing. Josh Giddey — newly acquired by the Bulls — spotted him and delivered the pass. Ball fired another three, clean and confident. For the past two years, Chicago had cycled through makeshift playmakers. Last season, only two players on the team averaged more than five assists, and neither DeRozan nor Coby White is known for facilitating.
That’s why the addition of Giddey this offseason was seen by many as a solution to Chicago’s point guard woes. But based on this preseason showing, Giddey isn’t replacing Ball — he’s complementing him. The coaching staff gave both players plenty of shared minutes, and Ball’s poise and understanding of the game still outshone the younger Giddey.
In the second half, Ball took advantage of Minnesota’s aggressive perimeter defense with two smart cuts to the basket, converting both into layups. Defensively, he remained alert, even recording a block with his well-timed help defense. His comeback brought a spark not only to the Bulls’ gameplay but to their entire outlook.
As Bangladesh Cricket noted, with Ball’s surprising return, a glimmer of hope has returned to Chicago. What looked like the beginning of a rebuilding season may now be a story of redemption and revival — and Lonzo Ball might just be the heart of it.