Anticipation is growing for Lonzo Ball’s first season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, with an opportunity to make his NBA playoff debut seemingly well within reach. However, the veteran point guard will again be operating in a limited capacity, at least to start the 2025-26 campaign.
Cleveland acquired Ball from the Chicago Bulls in early July in exchange for reserve wing Isaac Okoro, ultimately marking the team’s highest-profile offseason addition. The 27-year-old is expected to fill the void of 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome, who jumped ship to the Memphis Grizzlies in free agency.
As is typically the case, health has been the primary focus surrounding Ball as the Cavaliers prepare for the preseason, with the oft-injured playmaker offering a sobering update on his status.
What Is Lonzo Ball’s Latest In-Season Maintenance Plan?
On Monday, Ball confirmed he will continue sitting out one end of back-to-back sets to begin the upcoming regular season. The precautionary measure was agreed upon with Cleveland’s medical staff as part of his latest in-season maintenance plan.
“Back-to-backs are off the table for right now,” Ball said. “Doesn’t mean it’s off the table for the whole year, but definitely the start.”
The 2017 No. 2 pick, who hasn’t played both legs of a back-to-back since the 2020-21 campaign, will also be confined to approximately 20 minutes per night.
Ball has appeared in more than 60 games in a season only once (2019-20). After suiting up in 35 contests during his first campaign with the Bulls (2021-22), he missed the following two seasons due to repeated knee injury setbacks.
Ball underwent three left knee surgeries, including meniscus and cartilage transplants in March 2023, before making his triumphant return last season. That resulted in another 35-game run before he was hampered by a right wrist injury.
Given the two-way guard’s extensive injury history, many anticipated that the Cavaliers would exercise discretion with him to ensure they have his services for the long run. That said, Ball has reportedly been impressing with his versatile, high-IQ play in training camp.
“He hasn’t disappointed,” Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson said Friday. “Everything that we thought we were getting, we’re getting. He’s just got a great, great feel. I’m excited to coach any NBA player, but this is a guy I’ve watched for a long time. He’s kind of the ultimate system fit.”
Cleveland is coming off a dominant 64-win campaign that resulted in a disappointing second-round playoff exit at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. While the franchise may not replicate its regular-season success, a relatively healthy Ball would likely go a long way toward it getting over the hump in the 2026 postseason.
At 6-foot-6, Ball is expected to give the Cavaliers a different look in their backcourt, which is headlined by two smaller, offensive-minded stars in Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. Though with 14 back-to-backs on the schedule, Ball appears likely to once again be sidelined for a notable number of games.
