Lonzo Ball brings playmaking, defensive disruption back to Bulls' lineup

Because of injuries, including his well-documented recovery from three surgeries on his left leg since 2022, Bulls guard Lonzo Ball had never played in an NBA Cup game before Friday against the Celtics.

His mentality doesn’t change.

“I know [it’s] a big game for us, so I go out there and try to win every game,” Ball said at Friday’s shootaround. “I try to keep it as simple as that.”

Ball returned to action in the Bulls’ loss to the Magic on Wednesday, scoring six points to go with three assists, two blocked shots and four steals in just under 15 minutes after missing the previous 15 games with a sprained right wrist. He followed that up Friday with more minutes — nearly 22 — but just two points and five assists with two steals.

“After 2½ years, he played three games, and then he [was] out again for another period,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He comes right back, and it’s amazing to me. It really is. It really speaks more to him in terms of his mentality and his understanding of how he can go out there and try to impact the game with the amount of minutes that he gets.”

Ball continued lifting weights and maintaining his conditioning as he waited for his wrist to heal. Before the injury, Donovan had talked about potentially increasing the limit on Ball’s minutes. That increased workload now depends on how well Ball responds physically after two games back.

Given how guard-heavy the Bulls are, his return creates a logjam at the position, but his malleable game allows him to play alongside any of the other guards. Donovan said Ball, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu understand the sacrifices it takes sometimes for lineups to work.

“The unselfishness part of all the guards has been really key,” Donovan said. “I think . . . getting [Lonzo] out there, the team is excited for him. What makes it easier for me is the way those guys have handled it. It’s never been like, ‘Hey, I’m the point guard.’ They’ve all been willing to give up something for the betterment of each other.”

Why not the real thing?

The Bulls usually have their shootaround at the Advocate Center, across the street from the United Center. On Friday, they moved it to the UC. It’s not a permanent change, but Donovan wanted the players to have more opportunities to shoot on their home court. Entering Friday, the Bulls had a better offensive rating on the road (114.1) than at home (109.9).

“I just thought, it’s across the street. We can come here. Let’s see what it looks like here,” Donovan said.

• White, guard Dalen Terry (ankle) and center Jalen Smith all played Friday after being listed as questionable.