The Bulls, on Saturday, didn’t do as well on the scoreboard as they apparently did with their medical charts.
That’s because prior to the loss to the Clippers, where injured Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine doing their rehabilitations in Los Angeles joined their teammates on the bench during the game, the reports were positive about both players.
Ball, who has a longer road back than LaVine going into his third year not playing, didn’t speak with media. But Bulls coach Billy Donovan before the game offered one of the more positive updates about Ball in perhaps years.
“Some of the workouts have been really, really positive and he has progressed," said Donovan, who reported Ball has started running, cutting and jumping. ”He has responded well. Some of the things that medical guys have shown me is he looks good moving. Hopefully, he can continue to progress.”
LaVine, who turns 29 Sunday with the birth his second child imminent, said he’s ahead of schedule from his Feb. 8 foot surgery and will be ready to resume full workouts and play well before the start of next training camp.
“I feel really good,” said LaVine. “I get the boot off soon. I’ve been able to be out here rehabbing, getting everything right. I just have to wait for the tendon to heal. And other than that it’s a straightaway rehab. My legs feel strong; body even feels good. Getting ready for another birth of my child, so we’re all happy. Three weeks the boot is taken off and then (the doctor) assesses my next regimen.
“I think recovery (was supposed to be) three to four months,” LaVine added. “I’m a little bit ahead of schedule right now, so let’s hope it stays that way. I’m just feeling a lot better. I was able to take the cast off. I’ve been walking around; the boot is the main thing I have to stay in. I’ll be pretty ready to go way before (next training camp). I’m just trying to get ready to rehab once the boot gets off.”
LaVine apparently aggravated a long ago foot injury in late November and attempted to play through it. He eventually 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 apparently was a loose bone did not 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 got to a conclusion, especially with what the doctor was telling me, the pain level, this thing isn't going to heal on its own. It sucked. I was pretty much trying to figure out every way not to (have surgery). You never want to have surgery. It was a bone that was floating around. It was known as a non-union Jones fracture, which I was dealing with for awhile. And once the doctor - I’m happy I was able to find him - told me you need to get this done sooner than later, so it was good to know.”
LaVine played his last game for the Bulls Jan. 18 and finished the season with his lowest scoring average since his ACL return season of 24 games in 2017-18. He was averaging 19.5 points and 35 percent on threes. But LaVine said the distance hasn’t dimmed 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 anybody else (in the NBA) that can have that say (about being as improved),” said LaVine. “Coby has probably the most point per game that jumped, field goal percentage, three pointers, assists, rebounds, you name it. Leads league in minutes, or it feels like. Everything’s up. Coby, how he’s developed, the way he’s worked this year, the way he worked last year; you knew he had it in him. But to see him really put it together and the player he’s becoming into is really special. He’s been tremendous.
“I talk to these guys pretty much every day, every game,” LaVine added. “We’ve been winning a lot of games and a lot of games that come down to the wire, but every game I’ve been watching and calling the guys (afterward) and am glad to be here today and be able to watch. It's not hard to fit back in (after recovery next fall), especially with the way I play the game and want to go out there and help. You never want to be hurt, but it’s also not hard to see yourself back in there. My main objective is to go out there and help the guys and be myself out there. When I’m on the court I know I make an impact most of the time; offensively, but defensively as well. I’ll go out there and keep doing me and will continue to push forward.”
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