Lonzo Ball scores 10 in return, reflects on rehab: 'All behind me now' - ESPN

CHICAGO — As Lonzo Ball checked into his first NBA game in more than 2½ years Wednesday night, the United Center crowd serenaded him with a standing ovation. He threw his hands in the air and tapped his heart, acknowledging the crowd before playing for the first time since Jan. 14, 2022.

Ball was restricted to 15 minutes, but finished with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in Chicago's preseason victory against Minnesota.

«Felt a lot better playing than watching,» Ball said after the game. «I couldn't even put it into words how it felt being out there.… It was definitely a moment I'll never forget.»

Since playing in his last NBA game more than 1,000 days ago, Ball has undergone three arthroscopic procedures on his left knee, including a rare double cartilage transplant in March 2023.

«Long. Really long,» Ball said with a laugh of his recovery process. «But looking back on it, it went a lot faster than I thought.… Them telling me 18 more months recovery [after the third surgery], it sounds crazy in the moment, but now I'm here. It's all behind me now.»

Earlier Wednesday, Ball said he was «full of joy» to be preparing for a game again but also acknowledged that he would not be the same player he was when he last took the court in January 2022.

«It's not the same body I started off with,» Ball said after Wednesday's shootaround. «But I think I can still be productive and effective on the court. That's why I'm still trying to play.»

And Wednesday night, Ball made an impact every time he stepped on the floor. He knocked down his first shot of the game, a corner 3-pointer, and then threw up three fingers as he ran up the floor. He stole the ball from Julius Randle on another possession and dove into the Bulls bench to save it from