Lonzo Ball had never played in an Emirates NBA Cup game due to various injuries. His mentality doesn’t change, no matter the circumstances surrounding the game.
“I know tonight’s a big game for us, so I go out there and try to win every game,” Ball said at Friday’s shootaround. “I try to keep it as simple as that.”
Ball’s play style is conducive to winning. With his propensity for making the right play and moving the ball exactly where it needs to be, creating havoc on the defensive end and pushing the pace in transition, the Bulls are a better team when he’s on the court.
Ball returned in the Bulls’ Wednesday’s 133-119 loss to Orlando after missing the previous 15 games with a right wrist sprain. In his return, Ball scored six points, dished out three assists, blocked two shots and accumulated four steals.
“After two-and-a-half years, he played three games, and then he’s out again for another period,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He comes right back, and it’s amazing to me. It really is. It really speaks more to him in terms of his mentality and his understanding of how he can go out there and try to impact the game with the amount of minutes that he gets.
“The steals, the disruption, the hands, knocking down his first couple threes. Even if he missed those two shots, he still had a huge impact on the game.”
While he was injured, Ball continued his knee maintenance. Ball was able to lift and maintain his conditioning as he waited for his wrist to heal. At the time of his injury, Donovan was talking about potentially increasing Ball’s minutes limit. Now, they have to wait and see how Ball responds before ramping up his workload again.
Given how guard-heavy the Bulls are, Ball’s return created a logjam at the position. But because of how malleable his game is, Ball has been able to play alongside the plethora of guards the Bulls have at their disposal. Donovan said Ball, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu have understood the sacrifice it would take for the lineups to work.
“The unselfishness part of all the guards has been really key,” Donovan said. “I think Lonzo having that stint of 15 or 16 minutes, getting him out there, the team is excited for him. What makes it easier for me is the way those guys have handled it. It’s never been like, ‘Hey, I’m the point guard.’ They’ve all been willing to give up something for the betterment of each other.”
Shootaround change
The Bulls usually have shootaround at the Advocate Center, which is right across the street from the United Center. Before Friday’s game, the Bears made a change and hosted their shootaround at the United Center.
It’s not a permanent change, but Donovan wanted the players to have more opportunities to shoot on their homecourt. The Bulls do have a better offensive rating on the road (114.1) than at home (109.9) before Friday’s game.
“I just thought it’s across the street, we can come here; let’s see what it looks like here,” Donovan said.
Injury updates
White, guard Dalen Terry (ankle) and center Jalen Smith were all in for Friday’s game after being listed as questionable.