Bulls expected to shut down Lonzo Ball for season

What the Chicago Bulls have long feared came to fruition on Tuesday morning.

First reported by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Bulls are expected to shut down Lonzo Ball for the remainder of the season.

Ball has yet to take the floor since undergoing surgery to repair a small tear in his left meniscus in late-January of last season.

The continuous pain and discomfort felt in the left knee while rehabbing and attempting to ramp up his workouts led to a second procedure in September to hopefully help the discomfort but to no avail.

Whenever asked about any updates on Ball throughout the season, Bulls coach Billy Donovan was consistent in not having a timetable for his return as the pain and discomfort lingered.

In January, it was reported by Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times that the Bulls and Ball were ‘perplexed’ on why Lonzo’s knee has yet to show some signs of improvement.

With Ball officially ruled out for the season, the Bulls are ‘nearing a deal’ with veteran guard Patrick Beverley to help bolster the backcourt in hopes to earn a playoff spot.