Bulls' Lonzo Ball Says Wrist Injury Is Between Grades 1-2, Return Timetable TBD

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball said his right wrist injury is between a Grade 1 and Grade 2 sprain, according to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Ball added that playing on the sprain could risk exacerbation to a Grade 3 sprain, which would require surgery, per Shelburne. He will be re-evaluated in 10 days, the Bulls said on Tuesday.

Ball was injured in the first quarter of the Bulls' 126-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. He suffered the injury while bracing himself after a steal, per Shelburne, and went on to play 18 minutes in the victory.

The injury occurred in Ball's third game back from two and a half seasons sidelined with leg injuries. He has been averaging 4.7 points, shooting 35.7 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from behind the arc, while playing a career-low 15.7 minutes per night.

Ball recorded season highs in minutes played and points, while also recording six assists and his first block of the campaign, on Monday despite the injury. The guard attributed the feat to adrenaline, per Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune.

Ball is currently wearing a brace to immobilize the wrist, per CHGO's Will Gottlieb.

Before his wrist injury, the Bulls had already implemented plans to manage Ball's return to the NBA, including resting him during back-to-backs.

Accordingly, Ball sat out the second game of the regular season due to injury management before rejoining the roster the next night to play 15 minutes in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ball is now set to miss at least the next five games for the Bulls, starting with Wednesday night's home game against the Orlando Magic. He likely would have already been sidelined for one of those five games, however, given that the stretch includes a back-to-back set against the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Bulls guard underwent multiple surgeries on his left knee since he last played in the NBA in January 2022, including a cartilage transplant in March 2023.

Ball will still be able to do lower-body work while sidelined, per K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network. The Bulls will hope he is able to return as soon as possible so the team can continue working on his readjustment to the NBA. Chicago could give more minutes to backup guard Ayo Dosunmu in his absence.