Billy Donovan took advantage of the passage from Chicago to Los Angeles to give news of Lonzo Ballstill convalescing after having undergone three knee operations, including a cartilage graft a year ago now.
While he was evasive about the rehabilitation of his playmaker ten days ago, the Bulls coach this time gave good news, assuring that the player was done with muscle strengthening, and that he could finally sprint, jump and do work to solicit support.
“There are training sessions that have been very, very positive and he has progressed”, he assured before yesterday's meeting. “He reacted well. The doctors showed me that he seemed to be moving well. I'm really happy for him personally, for his progress. He worked hard to put himself in this position. And I hope he can continue to improve.”
The following ? Lonzo Ball will now have to be authorized to resume training with contact and then, if there is no setback, the last step before a return to play, namely the resumption of five-on-five, still at training. For the moment, no timetable has been mentioned for these upcoming deadlines. But considering the obstacle course that Lonzo Ball has gone through over the past three years, there are no small victories, and his return to non-contact training is already very good news.
Contacts, the next step for Lonzo Ball
“This is something almost unprecedented, and he has managed to overcome all the obstacles so far”added Billy Donovan.
For now, Lonzo Ball will continue his rehabilitation program in Los Angeles, where he was joined by Zach LaVine, on the sidelines for the season, who also shared good news since he is ahead of his schedule. recovery program after undergoing surgery for a Jones fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal. He will soon remove his protective boot and will meet with the medical staff again within three weeks to develop a more precise recovery plan.
For his part, Billy Donovan will continue to monitor the situation as best he can, hoping that the next steps take the same turn regarding Lonzo Ball.
“I'm speaking more from my point of view, even if it's not from a medical point of view, but for his own well-being he will need to get used to taking shots, defending, taking screens and contact near the circle »added Billy Donovan. “How can we help him put a plan in place that allows him to play, even if it’s here in Los Angeles? As long as he feels he can take the contacts, which can be 1-on-1, 2-on-2, in a controlled situation. But at some point, we're going to have a conversation to discuss the next step in terms of contacts for him. He spent two and a half years without cashing in.”
| Lonzo Ball | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 52 | 34 | 36.0 | 30.5 | 45.1 | 1.3 | 5.6 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 10.2 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 47 | 30 | 40.6 | 32.9 | 41.7 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 9.9 |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 63 | 32 | 40.3 | 37.5 | 56.6 | 1.1 | 5.0 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 11.8 |
| 2020-21 | NOP | 55 | 32 | 41.4 | 37.8 | 78.1 | 0.6 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 14.6 |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 35 | 35 | 42.3 | 42.3 | 75.0 | 1.0 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 13.0 |
| Total | 252 | 33 | 40.0 | 36.4 | 57.8 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 11.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
