Lonzo Ball Likely to Return in 2025 Though Specific Date Remains Fluid, per Report

June 4, 2024 Jimm Sallivan

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball’s hypothetical return to game action has been a long time coming.

Ball played his last basketball game on Jan. 14, 2022 — a 138-96 loss in Chicago to a Golden State Warriors team that went on to win the NBA title. Since then, his once-promising career has been derailed by a nagging knee injury.

However, there appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The Bulls expect Ball to return at some point during the 2025 season, according to a Tuesday afternoon report from Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.

“Team officials are confident Ball, out since Jan. 14, 2022, due to a chronic knee ailment, will play next season. They’re just not as confident about when,” Mayberry wrote. “Opening night doesn’t sound likely.”

Ball will turn 27 on Oct. 27; he was just 24 in Jan. 2022. If the former Los Angeles Laker and New Orleans Pelican can summon even a fraction of his early-career magic upon his return, Chicago fans will be in for a treat.

6 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Biggest Blowout in NBA Finals History: A Full Breakdown

When most sports fans picture the NBA Finals, they picture iconic moments in close games. Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan's iconic shot in Game 6 in 1998. Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson's so-called "junior, junior skyhook." Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James's block in 2016.

These memories obscure the fact that there has been a lot of slop on basketball's biggest stage. Did you know, for example, that there have only been five NBA Finals Game 7s in the last 30 years?

This article is a celebration of the Finals's unsightlier moments. Here are a few questions about the NBA's championship series beatdowns, answered.

On June 7, 1998, the Bulls smashed the Utah Jazz 96–54 in Game 3 of the NBA Finals to take a 2–1 series lead.

Pretty much out of nowhere! Chicago and the Jazz had played in the 1997 Finals and the series was competitive, with no game decided by more than 12 points. Utah won Game 1 in '98 88–85 in overtime, and the Bulls won Game 2 by five.

Chicago led just 17–14 after the first quarter in Game 3 but pushed its lead to 49-31 at the half. The Jazz's final total of 54 points represented, at the time, the lowest point total of the shot-clock era in any game—regular season or postseason.

The Bulls' 42-point margin of victory is an NBA Finals record. Predictably, Jordan led both teams with 24 points.

The second-most lopsided game will be more familiar to younger fans: the Boston Celtics' 131–92 win over the Lakers in Game 6 of the 2008 Finals. That game gave the Celtics their most recent title, and remains basketball's most lopsided championship clincher.

Rounding out the top five biggest Finals margins of victory: Game 3 in 2013 (San Antonio Spurs 113, Miami Heat 77), Game 6 in 1978 (Washington Bullets 117, Seattle SuperSonics 82), Game 1 in 1985 (Boston 148, Los Angeles 114; the so-called Memorial Day Massacre), and Game 1 in 1961 (Celtics 129, St. Louis Hawks 95).

5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Lonzo Ball Defends Angel Reese After Her First Career Ejection

Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese was ejected for the first time in her career Tuesday night during the team's 88–75 loss to the New York Liberty.

Lonzo Ball saw the play unfold from his seat at Wintrust Arena and posted to social media shortly after the ejection to support the 22-year-old rookie.

Ref that threw out @Reese10Angel is weak btw… You know who you are (Keep ya money Angel I got you)
— Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) June 5, 2024

He even vowed to pay for the $400 fine she will face in the coming days — $200 for each technical foul. Reese appreciated the words of support.

💞😭appreciate you gang! https://t.co/Aupf0jJU6N
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) June 5, 2024

Reese was ejected with 2:31 remaining in the fourth quarter after an exchange with referee Charles Watson that led to two technical fouls. After the game, lead official Maj Forsberg told the Chicago Tribune's Julia Poe that Reese was given her first tech for "disrespectfully addressing" the official and the second tech for waving off the referee.

Angel Reese was ejected from tonight's game after being given a double technical on this exchange with the ref
(via @SkyMarquee)pic.twitter.com/cCmfEZZU11
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 5, 2024

The $400 fine marks Reese's second financial penalty she has faced this season. Reese was fined $1,000 this past weekend for not speaking to the media after the Sky's 71–70 loss to the Indiana Fever on Saturday.

Reese registered 13 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes before getting ejected, notching her second double-double through eight games to start her WNBA career.

4 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Chicago Bulls, DeMar DeRozan Have Mutual Interest in New Contract This Summer

Chicago Bulls guard DeMar DeRozan will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but there is mutual interest between franchise and player for DeRozan to return to Chicago on a new contract this offseason, according to a report from Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic.

The-soon-to-be 35-year-old DeRozan spoke glowingly about his three seasons with the franchise following the trade deadline in February, and according to Mayberry, DeRozan has reiterated his interest in a return to the front office.

DeRozan compared his impending free agency to a relationship with a spouse:
“It’s, like, ‘What we need to do to work on this, baby? Let’s figure this thing out. You want me. I want you.’ The love is there.” pic.twitter.com/zgYOL3lw2q
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) February 8, 2024

The Bulls have been willing to offer DeRozan a two-year deal, but the veteran covets more security than a two-year deal given his age. There is a belief that a new contract would exceed $40 million annually, as DeRozan remains a very good player in his mid-30s.

The reliable DeRozan played in 79 games for Chicago this season, and averaged 24.0 points per game with 5.3 assists and 4.3 assists on 48.0% shooting.

US Sports News

Lonzo Ball Likely to Return in 2025 Though Specific Date Remains Fluid, per Report

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Jimm Sallivan