Lonzo Ball missed two years of basketball. He could be the Bulls’ most influential player now

After a Boston Celtics turnover, Lonzo Ball grabbed a loose ball at the top of the 3-point line and orchestrated a fast break the other way. He took two dribbles across the halfcourt before dishing out a pass to his Chicago Bulls teammate Ayo Dosunmu on the left wing.

Together they created a two-on-one textbook. Ball gave up the ball and continually sprinted toward the basket, fully expecting to get it back. Everything about that moment, including the subtle way Ball called for the back pass, said everything about the progress he’s made in his comeback season.

Looking at Dosunmu, Ball gathered his steps. Then Ball quickly raised his right arm, pointed a finger skyward, looking for Dosunmu to throw an alley-oop. Celtics star Jayson Tatum, the only defender between the ball and the basket, was in good position to interrupt the potential highlight. With 2:45 left and the Bulls trailing by three, Dosunmu decided against a high-risk pass. Instead, he hit Zach LaVine on the right wing.

After gathering his steps, Ball skipped along the baseline, unhappy with the dunk he couldn’t throw down.

However, the ball shouldn’t be in play at all. Since Ball appeared in only his fifth contest last Friday after being away for two and a half seasons and suffering multiple surgeries on his left knee, Ball was expected to be on a 16-minute restriction for the foreseeable future, but he reached his highest playing time this season 22 minutes of the Bulls’ home loss to the Celtics.

For the first time this season, Ball remained on the floor in the closing minutes of a crucial game.

“I just vetoed the minute limit,” Ball said jokingly. “There were three minutes left. We were right there, so I just wanted to try to do what I could to get the win.

“I was fine. I didn’t feel like I was hurt in any way, so I just said to (Bulls coach) Billy (Donovan), ‘Let me rock.’ He hesitated a little; He’ll probably hear a little more about it. But I’m glad he left me in there.”

Zo plays on both sides! 👀@CHSN__ | @ZO2_ pic.twitter.com/jrtIkuMAzD

– Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 30, 2024

In the first quarter of the season it becomes increasingly clear how much better the Bulls are at playing the ball. Few would have expected Ball to bounce back from a career-threatening knee injury. It was even rarer for him to reclaim his place as the Bulls’ most effective player.

But that’s exactly what Ball has accomplished in his first five contests.

“I know it’s a very small sample size, but when you look at his plus-minus on the floor, it’s crazy given the amount of time he’s gotten,” Donovan said.

On a team that is five games under .500 and ranks 25th in plus-minus at minus-5.8, Ball is the rare bright spot. He leads the team with a plus-minus of plus-2.8 per game. His average was just 16.7 minutes, but his limit is now increased to 18 minutes.

“He’s so smart and knows how to play the game that I think he feels like he can be a productive player whether it’s 16, 20 or 22 minutes,” Donovan said. “For me, the most important thing in the future will be how he can physically keep up with his knee.”

Ball has not reported any problems with the knee, although he continues to require routine maintenance after games and on days off. He will also still be ruled out of a game in two consecutive sets.

However, with everything going well, Ball gets his wish – more playing time.

“I felt good out there. No problems,” Ball said of his increased minutes against the Celtics. “I expect the minutes to continue to increase and stay on the right track.”

Ball suffered a right wrist injury in the team’s fourth game, sidelining him for 15 straight games. He returned the night before Thanksgiving and made no effort to re-establish himself as a two-way force. Ball recorded four steals and two blocked shots remaining, along with his two made 3s in just 15 minutes against the Orlando Magic. Ball was a plus-7 in a 14-point Bulls loss.

Bulls take a break!@CHSN__ | @AyoDos_11 pic.twitter.com/W8puLyyQW5

– Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 28, 2024

“It’s amazing to me,” Donovan said. “He has a way of getting himself to a place mentally where he knows exactly what he has to do.”

Ball makes the game sound as easy as it looks. He downplayed the immediacy of his impact. He would much rather the credit go to his teammates and his hard work.

“To be honest, basketball is pretty simple from my perspective,” Ball said. “We have some great players on this team. I just come in and try to give good minutes, be in the right spots, play good defense and let things fall where they may.”

Ball makes an impact in the second unit as a conductor and floor defender and is now another weapon in the closing lineup. As expected, he helped accelerate the Bulls’ league-leading pace by scoring quickly in transition. He was also a safety net for a team that ranks in the bottom third in turnovers. Ball only played five competitive games in 84 minutes.

But watch Ball on defense if you really want to see him shine. In this respect he was a true scholar. The Bulls are tied for 29th in defensive rating, but Chicago plays like a more cohesive unit when the ball is on the court. He moves and swarms and talks and stalks and might be the only thing keeping the Bulls from finishing in the bottom three on defense this season.

When Ball nullified a post-up attempt by Celtics star and reigning NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown with a timely strip, Ball turned to the crowd and waved. It looked like he was reminding the United Center crowd what he does best.

“He knows his game. He knows everything he’s good at,” Bulls guard Coby White said. “I feel like he just goes out there and plays. Because of his mentality, it’s more like he’s not worried about how much time he’s missed. He just goes out and plays, regardless of anything.”

(Photo: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)