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Jamal Collier, ESPN
CHICAGO — An MRI showed Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has a grade 1 or 2 sprain in his right wrist that will keep him out for at least 10 days.
Ball suffered the injury in the first quarter of Monday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies while attempting a fall after attempting a steal.
“If I play right now while it’s still swollen, it could get to level 3. I would need surgery,” Ball said, wearing a brace to stabilize his wrist. “Obviously trying to avoid that, let the swelling go down, tape it up and come back.”
The ball was set for a fall after attempting to steal a pass intended for Memphis’ Jake LaRavia. He felt discomfort in his wrist at halftime, but was able to overcome the pain with tape. He had six points and six assists in 18 minutes before undergoing an MRI on Tuesday.
“I felt it, but the adrenaline was pumping,” Ball said. “I was trying to win the game, but that wasn’t going to hold me back, so hopefully I can get it taped and back out there as soon as possible.”
Ball, 27, has appeared in three games this season, his first NBA action since January 2022 after undergoing multiple surgeries on his left knee. He is averaging 4.7 points, 3.7 assists, 2.7 rebounds, and 15.7 minutes this season.
The team was expected to avoid streaks during practice and reduce his workload to allow him to return to action. So far, Ball has had no issues with his knee.
The wrist injury is a setback, but the team doesn’t believe the injury will be long-term.
“It’s an unfortunate moment, but things happen,” Ball said. “We hope to get over this as quickly as possible and get back to business.”
