The hits keep coming for Lonzo Ball.

The Chicago Bulls are expected to shut down their star point guard for the rest of the season as he attempts to rehab from a series of knee injuries, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Ball originally underwent arthroscopic surgery in January 2022 – at a time where the Bulls had the best record in the Eastern Conference – to repair a torn meniscus. He didn’t progress properly from the procedure and had a second surgery in September after he wasn’t able to “run or jump.”

There had been optimism that after the second surgery, Ball would be able to return to the court at some point during the 2022-23 season. However, those dreams were dashed Tuesday, with Charania reporting that “pain and discomfort have persisted in Ball’s left knee” following the two surgeries.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the Bulls finalized a deal with former Lakers guard Patrick Beverley after he was traded to the Magic, then waived, at the 2023 deadline. Beverley is not the playmaker Ball is but can provide defense and energy at the position while spelling Ayo Dosunmu and Alex Caruso.

Ball, 25, was having one of the best seasons of his career in 2021-22 before suffering the injury, which cut his season short after 35 games. He was averaging 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game at the time of his injury and Chicago was 27-13.

The Bulls limped to the finish line in the second half of the season and lost to the Bucks in five games during the first round of the playoffs. This season, they have struggled to a 26-33 record, currently two games back of the No. 10 seed and final spot in the play-in tournament.

Perhaps Beverley’s energy and leadership can spark Chicago to a second-half surge into the playoffs, but that spark will not be coming from Ball – at least not this season.