Bulls rule out Lonzo Ball

Ball, who has not played since Jan. 14, underwent surgery on his left knee on Jan. 28 to repair a slight meniscus tear. The team said he still experiences pain “with high-level physical activity.”

Ball was sidelined longer than the team’s initial outlook for his return when his knee did not respond to the rehab process. Chicago delayed the ramp-up process for 10 days in late March in the “hope” that the extra rest would allow him to recover, but Ball suffered a setback.

The Bulls said Wednesday that Ball will continue treatment and rehab on a daily basis in preparation for the 2022-23 season.

Despite Tuesday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Bulls secured their first playoff appearance since 2017 after the Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Orlando Magic. They are in sixth place in the East, one game behind the Toronto Raptors.

In his first season in Chicago, Ball averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He played in just 35 games, the fewest of any season in his five-year career.

The Bulls will host the Boston Celtics on Wednesday in Chicago.