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It had been almost three full years since guard Lonzo Ball last started for the Bulls, until Sunday.
Ball started his first game since Jan. 14, 2022, in the Bulls’ 124-119 loss to the Kings. The Bulls’ front office likely didn’t anticipate his next start wouldn’t come until 2025, or that DeRozan wouldn’t even be with the organization anymore, but injuries changed and derailed the Bulls’ initial team-building plans.
It’s apropos that his first start since his recurring knee injuries came with DeMar DeRozan returning to the United Center after leaving in the offseason via a three-team sign-and-trade to the Kings.