The Bulls on Saturday didn’t do as well on the scoreboard as they apparently did with their medical records.
Indeed, before the loss to the Clippers, where injured Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine, rehabbing in Los Angeles, joined their teammates on the bench during the game, reports were positive on both players.
Ball, who has a longer road back than LaVine heading into his third year without playing, has not spoken with the media. But Bulls coach Billy Donovan, before the game, offered one of the most positive updates on Ball in perhaps years.
“Some of the practices have been really positive and he’s progressed,” said Donovan, who reported that Ball had started running, cutting and jumping. “He’s responded well. Some of the things the doctors have shown me is that he looks good. “Good move. I hope he can continue to improve. ”
LaVine, who turns 29 on Sunday with the imminent birth of his second child, said he is ahead of schedule following his Feb. 8 foot surgery and would be ready to return to full workouts and perform well play before the start of the next training camp.
“I feel really good,” LaVine said. “I’ll take the boot off soon. I was able to be here in rehabilitation, so that everything went well. I just have to wait for the tendon to heal. And other than that, it’s an immediate rehabilitation. My legs are strong; the body even feels good. I’m preparing for another birth of my child, so we’re all happy. After three weeks, the boot is removed and then (the doctor) evaluates my next regimen.
“I think the recovery (was supposed to last) three to four months,” LaVine added. “I’m a little ahead of schedule at the moment, so let’s hope it stays that way. I just feel a lot better. I was able to remove the cast. I walked around; the shoe is the main thing I have to stay in. I will be ready to go well before (next training camp). Just trying to prepare for rehab once the boot comes off.
LaVine apparently aggravated a long-ago foot injury in late November and attempted to recover from it. He ultimately missed 17 games before returning in early January. But then he suffered a sprained ankle on January 18. And when the discomfort in his foot with what was apparently a loose bone didn’t improve, he sought further opinions and the recommendation was immediate surgery to be ready for the 2024-25 season.
“You never want to have surgery,” LaVine said. “But I came to a conclusion, especially with what the doctor told me, the level of pain, this thing is not going to heal on its own. It sucked. I was trying to find every way to not to (have surgery). You never want to have surgery. It was a floating bone. It was known as a nonunion Jones fracture, which I had been suffering from for some time. And once the doctor – I’m glad I was able to find him – told me you need to do it as soon as possible, so that was good to know.
LaVine played his final game for the Bulls on January 18 and finished the season with his lowest scoring average since his 24-game ACL comeback season in 2017-18. He averaged 19.5 points and shot 35 percent from three. But LaVine said the distance hasn’t altered his relationship with his teammates, and he also lobbied for Coby White to win the most improved player award.
“I don’t think there’s really anyone else (in the NBA) who can have a say (on being that improved),” LaVine said. “Coby probably has the most jump points per game, field goal percentage, three pointers, assists, rebounds, etc. Leads the league in minutes, or so it seems. All is finished. Coby, how he evolved, the way he worked this year, the way he worked last year; you knew he had it in him. But to see him really succeed and the player he becomes is really special. He was great.
“I talk to these guys almost every day, every game,” LaVine added. “We won a lot of games and a lot of games that are being played, but every game I watched and called the guys (afterwards) and I’m happy to be here today and to be able to watch. “It’s not hard to get back in (after recovery next fall), especially with the way I’m playing and I want to go out there and help. You never want to get hurt, but it’s also not hard to see you in there again. My main goal is to go out there, help the guys and be myself. When I’m on the field, I know I’m making an impact most of the time; offensively, but also defensively. I’m going to go out there and keep doing what I’m doing and I’m going to keep moving forward.
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