Lonzo Ball is still dealing with a swollen knee every single day, over 1,000 days after disaster struck his left knee, and it’s clear his career has been completely altered. Despite the ongoing physical toll, Ball has shot down any talk of retirement, even as he admitted he is “still waiting for a call” to get back on an NBA court.
The Brutal Reality of a Lost Career Peak
Ball was on fire after signing a four-year, $85 million deal with the Chicago Bulls, living up to every expectation. He was a jack of all trades for the team, playing a huge part in their 27-13 record through the first 40 games. Then, BAM, a knee injury that was supposed to sideline him for just six weeks spiraled into multiple surgeries on his left knee. He ended up missing more than 1,000 days, literally two full seasons, before making it back for the Bulls during the 2024-25 season. But let’s be real, his performance just wasn’t the same. Ball opened up about facing that crushing reality during Tuesday’s “Ball in the Family” podcast with Gilbert Arenas. He admitted he needs to manage his knee constantly, saying he can “play if I want to, but still got to deal with it every day.” He even played basketball the day before the podcast and his knee was swollen. The daily routine? Stretching, icing, and yoga to keep it somewhat in line.
The Numbers Are Hard to Ignore
It gets tougher when he talks about how it impacts his actual play. Ball explained there are certain stances where his knee doesn’t bother him. Other times, though, he feels off balance, and the ability to abruptly stop himself while driving is just gone. Mentally, he’s grateful for his nine seasons in the NBA, saying he “gave everything I had to hoop” and attributes everything in his life to basketball. But the hardest part? “Your game changes. You see where you’re supposed to be and you physically can’t get there.” He even said he doesn’t think he ever reached his peak, which honestly just sucks to hear. He averaged a mere 4.6 points in limited time with the Cavaliers last season.
So yeah, some aggregators out there took his honest reflections as an unofficial retirement announcement, but Ball quickly shut that noise down. He’s not done with basketball, not yet, saying he’s “still waiting for a call.” The big question, though, is if that call will ever come for a player dealing with such significant and lasting effects from that devastating knee injury.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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