25/06/2023
Lonzo Ball was supposed to be the next Magic Johnson. He even got drafted by Magic Johnson. Now, he may never play in the NBA again.
He last played on January 14, 2022, when he suffered a mysterious knee cartilage injury. Since then, it’s been a dizzying journey for Lonzo:
🔸His knee didn’t respond to treatment
🔸Diagnosed with a small meniscus tear
🔸Had 1st knee surgery in Jan ’22
🔸Ruled out for rest of ’21-22 season
🔸Had 2nd knee surgery in late ’22
🔸Ruled out for entire ’22-23 season
🔸Had 3rd knee surgery in March ’23
🔸Just announced he’d miss the entire upcoming ’23-24 season
That’s an injury timeline you see for battle-tested vet whose legs have long left. But Lonzo?
He’s only 25 years old.
If his story sounds familiar, it’s because it is.
Back in 2007, a promising guard, who was a top 10 draft pick, won Rookie of the Year. He was an All-Star the next season, and looked every bit like the next big thing.
Then came the dark days. In 2008, he had a procedure to remove cartilage from his knee. In 2010, he tore his meniscus and needed surgery. In 2011, he had arthroscopic surgery on both of his knees.
Without any cartilage left, his knees soon gave out on him. And at 27 years old, Brandon Roy was forced to retire.
Lonzo Ball may be facing a similar decision. He’s one of the most versatile, selfless and high-IQ players in the NBA. But considering the earliest he could play again would be October 2024, a lot more can go wrong before he gets right.
The perfect Hollywood story is headed toward a tragic ending…🥺