On Wednesday night, during an NBA preseason game, Lonzo Ball, point guard for the Chicago Bulls, was met with a warm standing ovation at the United Center. This marked his return to the court after struggling with knee issues for over two and a half years.

Ball’s knee troubles began in the 2021-22 season with ongoing soreness in his left knee. After enduring three surgical procedures and extensive rehabilitation, he stepped onto the court in the middle of the first quarter, making a successful return with a 3-pointer from the left corner.

In his 15 minutes of play, Ball contributed 10 points, successfully shooting 4 out of 6 attempts during the Bulls’ nail-biting 125-123 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

After the game, Ball expressed that he didn’t focus on his knee while he played, marking his return after 1,006 days away from the game.

“That’s a good sign,” he remarked. “I didn’t experience any discomfort. I felt like I was moving really well. It’s now all about consistency and doing this on a regular basis.”

This comeback is considered one of the most remarkable in NBA history. Before his long absence, he averaged 13 points and 5.1 assists in his debut season with the Bulls, with his last game on January 14, 2022.

Ball underwent three surgeries, the most recent being a cartilage transplant in March 2023, in a bid to save his basketball career.

To honor Ball’s journey back to the game, his fellow Bulls teammates commemorated his return with a game ball presentation.

“I set a goal to get back onto the court,” Ball shared. “I recognized it would be a long journey, but the effort was worthwhile as this moment is what I aimed for. I’m thrilled to finally do what I love.”