Ominous Words From Chicago Bulls On Lonzo Ball's Recovery Process

The Chicago Bulls have been waiting close to a year for their star point guard Lonzo Ball to recover from his knee troubles. The latest update from head coach Billy Donovan on Ball's recovery sounds a bit ominous, however. 

Billy Donovan on Lonzo Ball: It’s been really slow. He’s working through more and more but we’re not close to running or cutting or contact. Said the pain issue is still improving but not in clear.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 1, 2022

"It’s been really slow," Donovan said when asked about Ball's rehab. "I’m just being honest." He also noted that Ball is "not even close" to being cleared for contact or on-court work, per Bulls reporter KC Johnson. 

"He is better after the surgery, I will say that, but is he completely pain-free? No, and that’s what they’re working towards.

"But it’s not like I can give you any report, ‘Hey, he’s running, he’s cutting, he’s jumping, he’s doing individual skill work, the next step is we’ve got to get him some contact.’ To be honest with you we’re not even close to that," Donovan said.

After sitting out most of last season after knee surgery, Ball struggled with his recovery over the summer with continued pain in his knee and had a second knee surgery just before training camp. 

One of the toughest parts, says Donovan, is that Ball has had so little actual training work, it makes it hard for him to build up resistance to the pain.

"Him working through the pain he was experiencing before, there has been improvement in that area, but they’re also trying to continue to build up strength because of the lack of time he’s had, so to speak, training."

There's no word at all on when Ball is expected back. 

Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports