In his first game since January 14, 2022, he played against the New Orleans Pelicans, where he scored 5 points, and also added 4 assists and 2 rebounds in 14 minutes of play. Although the result was unfavorable for the Bulls, losing 123-111, Ball’s participation was an important moment for him and the team.
Despite the excitement of his return, Lonzo tried to stay calm and didn’t put too much weight on this milestone. “It felt pretty similar to the preseason games, to be honest,” Ball said. During the meeting, coach Billy Donovan mentioned that they plan to limit his minutes to 14-16 per game for the foreseeable future. This game also marked Ball’s first time coming off the bench since December 2019.
Lonzo showed his ability by hitting a three-pointer on his first attempt and was happy to simply be back on the court, pointing out the importance of being an available option for the team. Despite the time limitations, he expressed his desire to continue contributing: “I’m happy to be on the court,” he commented. Donovan also mentioned that he reserved some minutes for Ball in case the game got closer, but it wasn’t necessary.
In terms of performance, the Bulls struggled and allowed 30 points off of turnovers, which was a key factor in their loss. Zach LaVine, who scored 27 points, also highlighted the need to improve in that area. As the Bulls move forward, Ball’s health and playing time management will be crucial as he is not expected to play in back-to-back games as he adjusts to his new reality.
