Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball may need arthroscopic surgery on his left knee for a meniscus tear, and a decision on the procedure is expected to come this week, sources told ESPN on Thursday.
The scope would sideline Ball for four to six weeks, sources said.
The Bulls and Ball’s agent — Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul — are discussing options with doctors, but the procedure looms if a recent change in nonsurgical treatment won’t allow Ball to play through what’s described as a slight meniscus tear, sources said.
Ball has missed the past three games with what the Bulls initially deemed was a bone bruise. The team had already ruled him out for its upcoming three-game road trip because his knee was not recovering well from the initial treatment.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan on Wednesday night said Ball had changed treatments on the knee, and that doctors were waiting to see how Ball responded to the new treatment.
“We haven’t gotten to that point,” Donovan said when asked if surgery was an option. “I think the biggest thing right now is what are the steps that we can do to get him back and get him healthy.”
Ball had a procedure for a meniscus tear on the same knee in July 2018 and returned for the start of training camp with the Los Angeles Lakers.
He is averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 35 games in his first season in Chicago.
ESPN’s Jamal Collier contributed to this report.
