Sixers are smothering Trae Young to great effect

The Chicago Bulls are shutting down Lonzo Ball for the remainder of this season. Ball hasn’t played this year, while dealing with pain and discomfort in his surgically repaired left knee.

Ball was diagnosed with a bone bruise and small meniscus tear in his left knee in January of 2022. He underwent surgery and was initially given a potential return date before the end of last season. Ball had a setback in March and missed the remainder of the 2021-22 season.

While rehabbing, Ball had fits and starts with his recovery, including needing to be shut down at different points due to continued soreness in his left knee. Now, the Bulls have made the decision to close the door on the sixth-year guard playing this season. Chicago is signing Patrick Beverley to a rest-of-season contract, as the Bulls continue to push for a playoff spot.

Ball averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.8 steals and nearly a block per game in 35 games for Chicago last season. At the time he was injured in mid-January, the Bulls were near the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Chicago ultimately fell to sixth in the conference and lost a 4-1 series to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs.

The NBA held its 2024 draft lottery in Chicago on Sunday with the Atlanta Hawks winning the top overall pick. The Hawks entered the lottery with just a three percent chance of securing the top pick.