"I Can't Run Or Jump": Ominous Update From Lonzo Ball

It's the big cloud hanging over the Chicago Bulls as they open training camp this season: star point guard Lonzo Ball—injured last January—is still unable to play basketball, as he outlined to the media today in an ominous update on how his knee is doing.

"I still can't play basketball. I literally can't run or jump. Until I can do those things, I can't play."

LIVE: Lonzo Ball Media Availability https://t.co/3p4eExudsC
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) September 27, 2022

Ball will be undergoing another arthroscopic procedure on the knee on Wednesday. "They're going in there to see what it is," said Ball, "because it's not necessarily showing up on the MRIs. There's something in there that's not right."

"Something weird happened (during his rehab). I've never felt pain like this."

He added that he's even feeling pain doing everyday activities.

Lonzo Ball says walking up stairs is painful for him. His knee issues are affecting him in everyday life, not just from a basketball perspective.
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) September 27, 2022

The 24-year-old said he has pain just walking up stairs.

Another surgery is the only option left at this point.

"I'm not going to say I'm concerned about [his long term health]"

But wishes he wouldn't have to go through another surgery. Goal was to avoid it

No specific time frame for a return. Will be based on how he's feeling
— Will Gottlieb (@wontgottlieb) September 27, 2022

Emotionally, he said "it's tough. I just want to get back out there with my teammates.

"This is something I've never dealt with. Even the doctors are surprised a little bit," said Ball.

Does Lonzo worry about whether he might miss the entire season?

"That's not in my mind right now. That would be the worst case scenario."
— Will Gottlieb (@wontgottlieb) September 27, 2022

He said he's not worrying right now about whether he might miss the entire season. "That's not in my mind right now. That would be the worst-case scenario."