The Cleveland Cavaliers knew they were taking a chance when they traded for Lonzo Ball this summer. The former second overall pick had a history of season-ending injuries, including a two-year knee injury that threatened to end his career. But Cleveland valued the all-around impact and ceiling-raising potential that a player like Ball is capable of.
Ball reassured their vision in his final preseason game.
It was the type of performance that doesn’t light up the box score — but Ball had his fingerprints
all over this game. Nine points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks in just 20 minutes. He found a groove inside Detroit’s defense and punished them throughout the second half by pushing the tempo and finding his teammates.
“To see him in the open floor and be everything we thought,” Atkinson said after the game. “He’s probably one of a few guys in the league who can make those passes he made tonight.”
Ball generated 10 points in two minutes to close the third quarter — all without scoring the ball himself. An underhand shovel pass to the corner, a no-look bullet from halfcourt into the paint, a live-action bounce pass to a cutter, and finally, a backdoor cut and touch pass to the corner for another three-point splash.
Ball has always been an excellent playmaker. At 6’6” with a high basketball IQ, Ball is able to deliver the ball in creative ways and create openings for his teammates. Sometimes, he creates openings that they didn’t even realize were there.
“I love that he’s a risk taker,” Atkinson said. “He’s not afraid to be a great passer… he’s gonna have some turnovers, but I think we’ll get way more positives out of it.”
This playmaking explosion was an important proof of concept. Sure, it’s the preseason — but Ball’s mobility and confidence are the primary takeaway. He didn’t look like someone who had been on the sidelines for most of the last three seasons. He looked like the type of player who could lead the second unit on a championship contender.
“Lonzo makes other people better,” Atkinson said. “He’s coaching guys out there… he’s the kind of guy who will command the game and give guys little hints.”
On defense, Ball has settled back into his usual self. He cleaned the glass and blocked three shots — all while stonewalling opposing ball handlers and fitting into Cleveland’s defensive scheme like a glove. He raises their defensive floor, offering elite point-of-attack and help defense in the backcourt.
Staying healthy will be the primary concern. But Ball has dug himself out from his lowest point and is ready to prove it.
Dealing with setbacks
Getting back to this stage was never a guarantee for Ball. Read this excerpt from Sports Illustrated in May of 2023:
“They don’t think it’s likely that he ever plays again…That was our speculation when we heard about experimental cartilage replacement surgery. It is incredibly rare and is much more likely being done just for his quality of life off of the basketball court.”
Via Dan Bernstein and Sports Illustrated
Ball underwent three surgeries to repair damage in his knee. A final ‘Hail Mary’ procedure was done in February 2023 to replace the cartilage in his knee — a surgery that had never before been completed by an NBA athlete. One thousand days later, Ball made his return to the Chicago Bulls.
“It was one of the most impressive things I’ve ever witnessed,” said Bulls head coach Billy Donovan. “For a guy in the prime of his career to have that happen… and it was just year after year, and he did whatever he had to do to get back on the court.”
His comeback season in Chicago was cut in half when Ball suffered a wrist injury after a fluke fall in February. But since then, Ball has had no other setbacks. He was finally able to spend a summer improving his game rather than recovering.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to go through workouts normally,” Ball said during Cavs media day. “I’ve been doing everything with the team; I haven’t had any setbacks.”
This wasn’t just a heartwarming preseason. It was a statement with more to come from Lonzo Ball. He’s fought all the way back from his knee injury and is in a position to contribute to a contender. His playmaking, defensive versatility and leadership are all qualities that the Cavaliers have been needing on their bench.
All indicators point towards Ball filling that role in Cleveland.
