Lonzo Ball officially returns to the Bulls after 1,013 days with a knee injury

Lonzo Ball is officially back.

After missing two and a half seasons due to a slew of knee problems, the Chicago Bulls guard returned to the court in Wednesday's season opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. It was his first game in 1,013 days.

He scored his first basket late in the first quarter with a game-winning catch-and-shoot three-pointer.

Ball's last game to date took place on January 14, 2022. His injury was initially described by the Bulls as a bone bruise before it was determined to be a torn meniscus that required surgery. Things only got worse from there, as Ball didn't progress quickly enough to return this season. The injury progressed the next season after he underwent a season-ending arthroscopic debridement procedure, and in March 2023 he underwent a cartilage and meniscus transplant.

Essentially everything separating Ball's two largest bones in his left knee had to be replaced. It was no wonder he couldn't return for the 2023-24 season. Ball was finally cleared for five-on-five work this summer and was able to play in the preseason.

It's hard to say what the Bulls can expect from Ball. A long-time point guard with strong defense, he was finally making progress with his 3-point shooting at the time of his injury, but three knee surgeries and two years of inactivity leave little certainty. He could be as good as he was before his injuries. He could no longer be a solid rotation player.

Be that as it may, Wednesday was an achievement in itself.