Checking in for an NBA preseason recreation for the primary time in 2 1/2 years, Chicago Bulls level guard Lonzo Ball acquired a standing ovation from the United Middle crowd Wednesday evening as he accomplished his comeback from intensive knee issues.

Ball started having points with persistent soreness in his left knee in the course of the 2021-22 season. Three surgical procedures and numerous hours of rehab later, he took the court docket halfway via the primary quarter and hit his first shot − a 3-pointer from the left nook.

In quarter-hour of recreation motion, Ball completed with 10 factors on 4-of-6 capturing in Chicago’s 125-123 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ball stated afterward he wasn’t excited about his knee as he returned to recreation motion for the primary time in 1,006 days.

“That’s a constructive factor,” he stated. “I didn’t really feel it in any respect. I felt like I used to be transferring nice. So now it’s nearly constructing. Simply proceed to do it evening in and evening out.”

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Ball’s return capped one of many extra wonderful comebacks in NBA historical past. He was averaging 13 factors and 5.1 assists throughout his first season with the Bulls when he was sidelined by ache in his knee, making his final look on Jan. 14, 2022.

He underwent three completely different surgical procedures, the final one a cartilage transplant in March 2023 in an try to avoid wasting his profession.

In recognition of the whole lot he went via to return, his Bulls teammates celebrated Ball’s return by giving him a recreation ball.

“I had a purpose to get again on the court docket,” Ball stated. “And I knew it was a protracted journey, a protracted course of. However it all paid off as a result of that is what I used to be trying ahead to. I’m simply glad it’s right here now and I can lastly exit and do what I like to do.”