Lonzo Ball, once a highly touted prospect, is opening up about how a brutal run of injuries has completely twisted his relationship with basketball, making it seem like he’s out of the league now at just 28 years old. This isn’t just a tough break, it’s a gut punch for anyone who saw his game.
The Knee Saga That Crushed a Promising Run
Remember when Ball first burst onto the scene? He had this combo of playmaking and defense that was just electric, plus he even tightened up that shaky shot as his career rolled on. He was truly a promising player when he was healthy, no doubt. But then early 2022 hit, and BAM, a knee injury while he was playing for the Chicago Bulls. And man, that wasn’t just any injury; it kicked off this ridiculous, lengthy saga with his knee, leaving him in pain even during rehab. Think about it: at the time of that injury, the Bulls were the BEST team in the Eastern Conference! They had a serious roster, ready to make some noise. Lonzo’s injury absolutely shredded that momentum, and honestly, neither he nor the Bulls have truly recovered since. That’s how massive it was.
Trying to Come Back, Only to Get Hit Harder
Since that 2022 disaster, Lonzo’s been through “all types of procedures,” but the guy has never, ever been fully healthy. He even got an opportunity to come back and prove himself with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2025-26 season, but it was just brutal. He had “one of the worst campaigns possible.” You gotta feel for him. It’s just flat-out unfortunate because these injuries have absolutely ruined his career. Ball is still holding out hope for a return, but his body just seems to have failed him. He recently spoke on the Curious Mike podcast with Michael Porter Jr., saying, “I mean it definitely takes some joy away from it obviously, because you can’t do what you want to do.” He gets it, saying everyone faces that eventually, whether it’s age or something else, “unless you’re LeBron.” But for most, “something’s going to happen where you start declining.” And that feeling of, “damn, I wish I could do this. I wish I could do that,” it’s always gonna be there.
He’s only 28! He should be in his prime, dishing dimes and locking down opponents. It’s gonna take a ton of work for him to even think about making a comeback to the league. It’s a tough pill to swallow, knowing what could have been for such a talent.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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