Chicago Bulls' Lonzo Ball Injury Update: Still can't sprint

Lonzo Ball's injury continues to haunt him and the Chicago Bulls. The talented point guard continues the rehab process to recover his knee. While the Bulls' head coach, Billy Donovan, hasn't explicitly said that Lonzo has suffered a setback in his healing, his recent comments weren't very encouraging or optimistic.

In a recent interview, Donovan shared that Lonzo Ball still can't sprint, raising questions about where he is in his rehab. "I don't know if he's stuck," Donovan expressed, before adding, "He's making some shots, some runs, some jumpshots. He hasn't done any sprinting yet, as far as I know."

Ball's inability to sprint represents a point of concern, especially considering that this skill was a goal and benchmark in his recovery process. While Donovan avoided categorizing it as a setback, he emphasized the importance of Ball developing more strength in his affected leg before moving on to more intense activities.

"Because of the surgery he had and because he's been out of the game for so long, before he's really able to accelerate, I think they want him to get to a physical point related to the strength of his quadriceps," Donovan explained.

Ball's situation is even more troubling when considering his injury history. Since January 2022, Ball has not played in any games due to a series of knee injuries that have kept him sidelined. This season, Ball has been ruled out entirely, meaning the next time he gets a chance to play will be more than two and a half years since his last NBA appearance.

For the Bulls, Ball's extended absence represents a significant challenge. His ability to run the game and his contribution on both ends of the court are key aspects of the team's success. However, with his recovery still ongoing and no definite date for his return, Chicago is forced to make adjustments without one of their key players.