Lonzo Ball finally returned to the court, starting for the Bulls after nearly three years, despite a tough loss to the Kings.

Chicago: It’s been a long road for Lonzo Ball, but he finally started a game for the Bulls again. Can you believe it’s been almost three years? His last start was back on January 14, 2022. This time, though, it was against the Kings, and unfortunately, the Bulls lost 124-119.
Ball’s return was a big deal, especially since he’s been dealing with knee injuries. It’s kind of wild to think that when he last played, DeMar DeRozan was still with the team. Now, DeRozan is with the Kings after a sign-and-trade deal. Ball even joked about how he prefers DeRozan in a Bulls uniform.
He expressed how grateful he is to be back on the court, saying it feels like a privilege. He’s thankful for everyone who supported him through his recovery. In his first game back, he scored 15 points and had three assists, showing he can still make an impact even with limited minutes.
Ball mentioned that they might look at increasing his playing time after the All-Star break, but he’s just happy to be back. Coach Billy Donovan praised him, saying he’s always ready to contribute when needed.
On another note, Zach LaVine is on fire! He scored 36 points in this game, extending his streak of 30-point games to six. He’s really in the zone, adjusting his game based on how the defense plays him. LaVine even grabbed 10 rebounds, marking his third double-double of the season.
As for injuries, Coby White missed the game due to a stiff neck, and Ayo Dosunmu is close to returning from a calf injury. Coach Donovan said they’re seeing good progress with Dosunmu, so hopefully, he’ll be back soon.