NBA: Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball returns after three-year injury

NBA star Lonzo Ball made his first appearance in nearly three years after recovering from multiple knee surgeries.

Chicago Bulls point guard Ball scored 10 points in 15 minutes in the Bulls' 125-123 preseason win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Ball also registered an assist, a steal and a block in his first appearance since January 14, 2022.

“It felt a lot better playing than watching, that’s all I can say,” said Ball, who only played 16 minutes.

“I can’t really put into words how I felt out there.”

Ball had a cartilage and meniscus transplant in his left knee in March 2023, his third knee surgery in just over a year.

He also received a bone graft, a procedure in which replacement bone comes from another person.

Ball said on his What an Experience, external Podcast that the problems began when he tore his meniscus while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

On Wednesday, Ball said he was “moving great” and his knee was giving him “no problems at all.”

Ball begins the season on a minutes restriction and will not play games on consecutive days.

He is expected to play in the Bulls' final preseason game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday before their season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday.

“I had the goal of getting back on the court,” Ball said. “I know it was a long journey, a long process, but it was worth it because I was looking forward to it. I'm just glad it's here now. I can finally go out and do what I love to do.”

“There were a lot of people who helped me get here, not just myself. Just seeing the crowd and all the love I get from the city, man, you can't replicate that in any way. And it’s real.”

Ball was selected by the Lakers with the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

He was traded to the Pelicans in 2019 before a sign-and-trade deal brought him to Chicago ahead of the 2021-22 season.