Video: Bulls' Lonzo Ball plays 5-on-5 while recovering from knee injury before NBA season | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball continued his journey back to the NBA court on Tuesday by playing some 5-on-5 games during open runs in Los Angeles.

Ball has been out since January 2021 due to a left knee injury. Since then, he has undergone three knee surgeries, according to KC Johnson. NBC Sports Chicago.

But there is hope that Ball can return in 2024-25. He told TMZ Sports:

“[Fans can expect] “I want to get back on the field,” said Ball when asked if he could be expected to return next year. “That's all I want to do.”

Ball is in the final season of a four-year, $80 million contract. In the 2021-22 season, he averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 35 games. With him, the team went 22-13 and without him, 24-23.

If Ball can replicate even close to that form, it would be a huge boost for a team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season. Chicago already faces an uphill battle in that regard after losing leading scorer DeMar DeRozan via free agency, but getting Ball back can certainly help.