Jamal Collier, ESPN
NEW ORLEANS — Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball performed in his first NBA recreation since Jan. 14, 2022, recording 5 factors, 4 assists and a couple of rebounds in 14 minutes throughout Wednesday’s 123-111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
When Ball checked into the sport with 6:14 remaining within the first quarter, he did so with out fanfare. He had been via an emotional return throughout the preseason — when he stepped on an NBA courtroom for a recreation for the primary time following a cartilage transplant in his left knee in March 2023 — the place his teammates gifted him the sport ball and celebrated him within the locker room afterward.
On Wednesday, Ball known as his two preseason appearances a “path run” main as much as the common season. He has been wanting ahead to placing the speak about his left knee behind him and specializing in basketball.
“The basketball hasn’t modified,” Ball mentioned after shootaround on Wednesday morning. “This simply counts towards the document. So go on the market proceed to play how I play.”
The Bulls plan to deliver Ball off the bench and restrict his minutes to 14-16 per recreation for not less than the foreseeable future, in keeping with coach Billy Donovan. Wednesday evening marked the primary time Ball got here off the bench since Dec. 20, 2019.
“For him, he is been in a position to wrap his head round the truth that that is my new norm,” Donovan mentioned earlier than the sport. “That is my actuality.”
Ball appeared in three stints throughout Wednesday’s recreation. He knocked down his first shot of the sport, a 3-pointer within the first quarter. He checked in for a extra prolonged stretch throughout the second quarter, taking part in seven minutes. His closing look got here within the third, the place he was restricted to about three minutes earlier than he hit his restriction for the evening.
Ball acknowledged taking part in on a brief minutes restrict has been an adjustment, however he tried to search out methods to stay productive.
“Time is unquestionably restricted on the market so simply be aggressive as attainable,” Ball mentioned earlier than the sport. “Play with a variety of vitality, are available in and attempt to give a prompt the bench.”
Ball can be not anticipated to play video games on consecutive nights because the crew goals to handle his well being. Chicago has a recreation in Milwaukee on Friday earlier than its residence opener Saturday, however Donovan mentioned the crew will monitor how Ball comes out of Wednesday’s recreation earlier than figuring out which recreation he performs.
