The Chicago Bulls entered Los Angeles on a five-game losing streak and a huge loss against a Clippers team that had won four straight. Somehow, the Chicago Bulls found a way to win very convincingly against the red Clippers.
One of the bright spots of the game was Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball starting at guard and playing 26 minutes. In that time, he put up 5 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block as A+7 from the field.
Lonzo Ball makes his second start of the season tonight in Los Angeles.@Firstalert | #Seered pic.twitter.com/rwseo1gzxv
– Chicago Bulls (@Chicagobulls) January 21, 2025
After the game, Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan spoke candidly about Lonzo's struggles to stay healthy over the past few seasons.
“We committed to it,” Donovan said. “Obviously, he was under contract, and we were doing everything we could to help him get healthy. He did everything he could on his end to do the same. We were all happy that he was able to come back and really be a consistent contributor to our team because, I think he Two and a half years ago, no one knew what would happen.”
Lonzo Ball with a blow-by 💨@chsn__ | @zo2_ pic.twitter.com/xfxinhbxif
– Chicago Bulls (@Chicagobulls) January 21, 2025
Seeing an NBA player miss two seasons of action and receive a meniscus transplant is almost unheard of. Somehow, Lonzo went through it all on his own and managed to become an impact player once again for the Bulls.
“And I think it speaks volumes not only about his recovery and his rehabilitation with what the doctors did and getting him back on the field, but I also think it speaks volumes about his resilience and his resilience mentally to fight through that because he was really on an island by himself,” Donovan said. “He's been away from our team, he's been in rehab. This can get lonely, and it's not like it's been going on for six months; this has been going on for two-and-a-half years. So, I'm just happy for him that he can be out there playing.”
Lonzo Ball warms up in the “Italian Camo” Kobe 6S 🐍@ZO2_ | #bullskicks pic.twitter.com/bo2ht611yp
– Chicago Bulls (@Chicagobulls) January 21, 2025
As the Chicago Bulls have likely struggled this season, seeing Lonzo Ball's path to redemption was one of the best parts of the whole thing. The win over the Clippers was just icing on top on Monday night.
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