Nam Y. Huh/AP
There was a tap on his heart and wave of the hand, a quick thank you kiss to the crowd, and then one final stretch to make sure the left knee was good.
Well, as good as it’s going to be for Lonzo Ball.
And just like that the 1,006-day odyssey – mostly filled with crashing waves rather than smooth seas – was over. Ball made his return to an NBA court for the first time since Jan. 14, 2022, coming off the bench in the first quarter against the Timberwolves and doing so to a standing ovation from the United Center crowd.