Lonzo Ball has been ruled out for 4-6 weeks after getting surgery done, due to a small meniscus tear in his left knee. This has occurred once before in 2018 while Ball was on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Every year of Lonzo Ball’s career has consisted of him getting injured and missing a substantial amount of games, it seems this year will be no different. During his time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Ball had: shoulder, knee, and ankle injuries troubling him through 2017-19 and while playing for the New Orleans Pelicans he suffered a hip injury.
The Chicago Bulls have been plagued with injuries all season long and it has been difficult for the team to keep up their momentum. With the line-up continuously changing due to player availability, it must be taking a toll on the Bulls on-court chemistry.
Key contributors like Zach LaVine, Alex Caruso, Derrick Jones Jr., Tyler Cook, Coby White, Lonzo Ball, and Nikola Vucevic have all miss games to either injury or health and safety protocols. Due to this, the starting line-up have been adjusted many times this season.
Role players like Javonte Green, Patrick Williams, and Ayo Dosunmu have been ready with the ‘next man up’ mentality whether they come off the bench or if they’re in the starting line-up. Javonte Green has especially found his stride this season, providing the team with energy and playing a crucial role in the team’s success.
Lonzo Ball and his partner in the backcourt Alex Caruso were defensive nightmares against other offenses in the league. They were also the two vocal points in the team’s defence and it was contagious enough to motivate their team to play better overall defence.
After coming to Chicago, Bulls fans didn’t know what to expect from DeMar DeRozan. To their pleasure, DeMar DeRozan has been phenomenal and even earned himself an All-Star selection as a starter. Well-deserved as he has been the main contributor to the team’s success, even while his co-star Zach LaVine was out due to COVID-19 protocols and knee injuries.
Right now the Chicago Bulls are second in the Eastern Conference, only behind the Miami Heat. With Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso being key pieces in the team’s rotation (for reasons both defensive and offensive), it will be difficult for the team and they would have to adjust, like how they have been doing throughout the season already.
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