When Ball checked into the preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the 6-minute, 8-second mark of the first quarter, the guard wasnāt weighed down with expectations. He was greeted by a resounding ovation from the United Center crowd while his teammates took to their feet on the sideline, gesturing earnestly to fans to welcome his return.
It had been 1,006 days since Ball suffered what appeared to be a minor meniscus injury in his left knee that led to three operations, two seasons on the sidelines and looming doubt over his ability to ever return. Ball didnāt need to show much ā just that he could still hoop, that the last 33 months of perplexing stasis hadnāt ended his career just yet.
But Ball wanted more. And the second time he trekked down to the offensive side of the court, he slipped out to the corner to catch a ball without a defender within arms reach, elevating to bury a 3-pointer for his first points since Jan. 14, 2022.
#nba