Lonzo Ball hasn't played in an NBA game since Jan. 14, 2022.
That night, the Chicago Bulls lost to the Golden State Warriors 138-96. Jordan Poole led the Warriors' starters with 22 points, while Chicago was led by third-year guard Coby White's 20 points off the bench.
A lot has changed around the league since then. Unfortunately, not so much for Ball, who's attempting to return to the court for the first time in more than two-and-a-half calendar years.
By all accounts, that will happen at some point this season; the exact date has been a mystery. But Ball finally broke his silence on his preseason plans, and it should be music to Bulls fans' ears.
Lonzo Ball reveals plan for 2024-25 NBA preseason
On the The WAE Show podcast, Ball said he plans to play at least two of the Bulls' preseason games, if not three.
🚨 @ZO2_ IS BACK FOR PRESEASON 🚨🔥 pic.twitter.com/4NNzJmALGZ
— The WAE Show (@TheWAEShow) October 11, 2024
"I'm sitting the first two preseason games, expecting to play the last two, maybe two of the last three, one of those in there but everything is going along, feeling good, knee's feeling good. ... Just looking forward to the future, really."
Chicago hosts the Memphis Grizzlies tonight (Oct. 12), plays at Milwaukee on Oct. 14 and is back home for a game against Minnesota on Oct. 16.
That means Ball could return on the road against the rival Bucks or make his comeback at home in front of the United Center fans against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.
Regardless of where or when it happens, the 26-year-old's return to NBA action is miraculous.
The next step is to figure out how he can help a rebuilding Bulls franchise that already includes a fully stocked backcourt. Even 15 to 20 minutes a night of Ball's basketball IQ and spot-up shooting would be a major boon to head coach Billy Donovan's squad.