Lonzo Ball is set for a highly anticipated home return to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, facing the Oklahoma City Thunder. This will be his first home game since January 2022, after undergoing three surgeries on his left knee.
The Bulls held Ball out of Friday’s 133-122 win against Milwaukee as part of a plan to gradually ease him back, following his comeback appearance in New Orleans, where he scored five points and recorded four assists in 14 minutes—his first NBA game in over 1,000 days.
Ball expressed satisfaction with his return, fully supporting the team’s cautious approach to limit his minutes initially, saying, “I’m just happy to be on the court… I have to go with the best path forward.”
Saturday’s game will also mark a meeting of recent trade partners: Chicago acquired Josh Giddey from the Thunder, while Alex Caruso joined Oklahoma City. Giddey, a promising young talent drafted in 2021, has already demonstrated his versatility, posting 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists over Chicago’s first two road games.
Caruso, known for his defensive prowess, played a crucial role in the Thunder’s recent win over Denver, limiting Jamal Murray’s scoring and contributing six rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes.
Reflecting on his time with Chicago, Caruso said his return will be “fun” but emphasized his focus on getting the win for the Thunder. The two players last faced off last season, with Giddey outscoring Caruso 26-18, leading to two Thunder victories. The Bulls’ last win over the Thunder dates back to February 2022, shortly after Ball’s injury.
