Bulls guard Lonzo Ball returns – at least for 16 minutes per game

NEW ORLEANS – There must be more than 16 minutes left per game at point guard Lonzo Balls surgically repaired left knee. At least that’s what the Bulls hope.

But that won't be the case any time soon.

“It will stay that way for some time,” said Trainer Billy Donovan said about Ball's minutes restriction after discussing it again with the Bulls' medical staff during Wednesday's morning shootaround. “That doesn’t mean the minutes can’t get longer; they can. But right now there's going to be a period of games – how many games, I don't know – but they want to evaluate him on that number just to see how he responds over a period of time.”

Ball, who has undergone three surgeries on his left knee since his last appearance in an NBA regular-season game on Jan. 14, 2022, returned in an important game against the Pelicans. However, as in the two preseason games he took part in, he did so with a 16-minute restriction.

“It is what it is now, so try to be successful in my role and help the team win,” Ball said before the game.

What Donovan is betting on, not just for Ball, but for the Bulls, is that Ball can slowly climb to 18-20 minutes and then beyond. Sitting out a game in two consecutive games can last the entire season. But as long as the knee holds up every game, there is hope that his minutes can increase.

“I think he was able to realize, 'This is my new norm, this is my reality, this is what I have to deal with,'” Donovan said. “So I think he was preparing for that.”

This was evident when Ball made a three-pointer on his first shot against the Pelicans. He finished the game with five points, four assists and two rebounds in 13 minutes and 39 seconds.

“I have so much respect for him, going through what he went through,” Veteran Center said Nikola Vucevic said. ''(It was) 2 1/2 years of the unknown, being alone, not really knowing what it is.

“As a young player you want to be out there. “You miss three or four games and that sucks. “So I can’t imagine what he went through.”

Kupp overflows

During a podcast interview with Quarterback Matthew StaffordRams wide receiver Cooper Kupp was asked about his basketball days at Davis High School in Washington and the rumor that he locked up a boy Zach LaVine in a state quarterfinal game.

“He ended up with 14,” said Kupp, who said only four points came while guarding LaVine. “I didn't play the fourth quarter though.” I admit I defended pretty well in that game, but I just stopped him from shooting a three-pointer. “Let him drive, help the defense.”

A fish fairy tale or the truth? LaVine, who attended Bothell High, did not dispute this, although the details were still up for debate.

“I had no idea who he was, a little white guy guarding me and they kicked our asses straight away,” LaVine said. “They doubled me. Cooper Kupp met me in court. I didn't have a good game. I think I only had 18 or 20, but yeah, they caught us.''

When told Kupp only scored four points against him, LaVine said, “Look, man, whatever it was, I didn't play well.” He can say whatever he wants. “I remember the game like it was yesterday.”

Deep bench

Donovan normally likes to stick with a nine-man rotation, but he said the Bulls' new up-tempo style means he will expand that to at least 10 players most nights. In the second quarter against the Pelicans he had already led 11 players deep.