
via Getty
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 27: Lonzo Ball (2) of the Los Angeles Lakers walks into the arena to warm up before the first half between the Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, November 27, 2018. The Denver Nuggets hosted the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)

via Getty
DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 27: Lonzo Ball (2) of the Los Angeles Lakers walks into the arena to warm up before the first half between the Lakers and the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday, November 27, 2018. The Denver Nuggets hosted the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Lonzo Ball hasn’t graced the court in over a year, with the last time he played on an NBA court being January 14, 2022. Ball’s presence on the court has been much missed, with the basketball community eagerly anticipating his return. Ball, a key acquisition for the Chicago Bulls, has only participated in 35 games after agreeing to his contract in 2021. This was when his knee injury occurred, which cast a shadow of doubt over his future in the league.
To make things worse, he has been sparring verbally with ESPN?s favorite employee about his knee injury. However, amidst the confrontation, Lonzo Ball recently provided fans with the latest injury update.
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Lonzo Ball gets into an altercation with an ESPN reporter
A string of crippling knee surgery since January 2022 has hampered Lonzo Ball’s once-brilliant basketball career. His road to recovery has been everything but smooth. They initially expected this to recover quickly, since the doctors intended it to be a standard arthroscopic procedure. This?brief clean-up treatment to get him back in action before the playoffs turned into a protracted ordeal. It kept the young athlete out for several seasons.
Ball’s original operation did not provide the promised pain relief, so he could not return to the court. A second surgery in September of the same year did not significantly lessen his agony. Ball was consequently rendered inactive for the whole of the previous season. He underwent a third operation in March in a last-ditch effort to save his career.
Ball chose a ground-breaking method: a cartilage replacement technique. This complex procedure, which aims to offer long-lasting relief involves developing cartilage outside the body and then transferring it into the injured knee.
The NBA community was anxiously awaiting an update on his surgery. And that’s when ESPN?s beloved, Stephen A Smith stepped in.

USA Today via Reuters
Oct 5, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball (2) brings the ball upcourt against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half of a preseason NBA game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
During a recent episode of First Take, Smith commented on Ball’s knee. He said, ?I have heard that it?s even hard for him to get up from the sitting position.?
Ball responded to Smith’s comment, resorting to posting a video of him doing single-legged sit-ups off a chair. He questioned Smith’s sources, asking him to “stop yapping.” ?I am coming back man, Come on,” claimed Ball enthusiastically.
Lonzo Ball calls out Stephen A. Smith for reporting that he has issues sitting pic.twitter.com/GtAwR0zPOT
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 22, 2023
Smith responded, claiming that he knew the doctor who performed Ball’s surgery. And that getting up and down a chair isn?t proof of being fit enough to play baketball.
However, Ball remains steadfast on making his return as per his latest update.
Ball comments on his future in the league
Lonzo Ball made a firm statement expressing his undying commitment to playing basketball once again. Ball addressed a varied crowd that comprised leaders from the music, investing, and entertainment spheres at the prestigious Invest Fest in Atlanta. Even though the event featured a variety of speakers, Ball’s comments about playing in the NBA struck a particularly deep chord, especially with diehard Bulls fans.
Ball left no room for doubt, claiming, “I’m going to play again”.
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Bulls' Lonzo Ball on his future: ‘I'm going to play again' https://t.co/vRJV9QnxO3
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) August 27, 2023
He continued, ?Life is not easy. If you want to get the most out of it, you gotta put your best foot forward. If you?re going to get knocked down, you gotta get back up every time if you want to keep going. You can always quit and take the easy way out and pout and go to the side. But for me, if you?re trying to get to a place where I want to get to, you just gotta get back up, dust off and keep going.”
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What are your thoughts on Ball? Let us know in the comments below!
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