Lonzo Ball is expected to begin running again in January as he begins his next step in a nearly two-year-long rehab process from a knee injury.

Ball underwent a cartilage transplant in March. No player have undergone the procedure and ever returned to the NBA.

Ball is not expected to return to game action until the 24-25 season and even that is a major uncertainty. 

“Everything they’ve done in terms of progressing him he’s handled very well,” Billy Donovan said. “The pain that he was experiencing that was causing the setback I think has been eliminated in terms of what he’s doing now — but he hasn’t run. The next progression for him will be to start running and that will be here in January.”

Ball tore his meniscus on January 14, 2022. Ball underwent surgery and was expected back in time for the playoffs.