It had been almost three full years since guard Lonzo Ball last started for the Bulls, until Sunday.
Ball started his first game since Jan. 14, 2022, in the Bulls’ 124-119 loss to the Kings. The Bulls’ front office likely didn’t anticipate his next start wouldn’t come until 2025, or that DeRozan wouldn’t even be with the organization anymore, but injuries changed and derailed the Bulls’ initial team-building plans.
It’s apropos that his first start since his recurring knee injuries came with DeMar DeRozan returning to the United Center after leaving in the offseason via a three-team sign-and-trade to the Kings.
“I like him more on our side in our uniform, but he still looks pretty good in the black and purple,” Ball said
Ball said he’s blessed, and that it’s a privilege to be able to start again for the Bulls.
“[I’m] thankful for everybody that stuck with me, appreciative of the organization for riding with me the whole way and just seeing it all come full circle,” Ball said.
Ball is hopeful that his minutes continue to increase, but also understands that he needs to be careful given the precariousness of his situation. Even in limited minutes, Ball is able to positively affect the game. He scored 15 points and dished out three assists.
Ball said they might revisit his minutes after the All-Star break, but he’s confident he can still leave his mark on the game in his 20-25 minute bursts.
“Whatever you need from him, he’s always ready to play,” coach Billy Donovan said.
LaVine’s scoring streak
Guard Zach LaVine extended his streak of 30-point games to six after Sunday’s 36-point outing.
LaVine looks as confident as ever on the court. He knows how opponents are going to guard him and react accordingly. The Kings were blitzing LaVine early, so in the fourth quarter he didn’t have center Nikola Vucevic screen for him, opting to have a guard set the screen and force a more favorable switch. If a smaller guard like Keon Ellis was guarding him, LaVine posted up.
“He’s really doing a great job being decisive, recognizing how he’s being guarded,” Donovan said. “He was blitzed a lot tonight, trapped a lot tonight and he made the right plays, whether it was into the into [Vucevic] in the pocket versus traps, or finding ways to get downhill.
“I’ve always said this about Zach: he’s incredibly unselfish and willing to pass the ball. Against different traps and double teams, he generally generates, if not a shot for somebody else, it gets to somebody that can create something.”
LaVine grabbed 10 rebounds on Sunday, marking his third double-double of the season, his most since the 2020-21 season.
Injury update
Guard Coby White missed Sunday’s game with a neck injury. He injured the neck on Friday, and Donovan said White’s neck was stiff during Saturday’s walk-through.
Guard Ayo Dosunmu hasn’t played since Dec. 23 because of a calf injury, but his return is near.
“We’ve gotten a really good response from the ramp-up,” Donovan. “There’s a few more days they want to continue on that, just to see how he responds. With some of the hurdles we’ve wanted him to cross, he’s responded pretty well.”