Lonzo Ball responds to Stephen A. Smith's doubts about his knee injury recovery

Lonzo Ball claps back at Stephen A. Smith's criticism of his knee injury with a video showcasing his progress.

Lonzo Ball is not one to stay silent in the face of criticism regarding his knee injury. In a recent video posted on social media, the Chicago Bulls point guard responded to comments made by Stephen A. Smith questioning his ability to recover from a lingering knee issue.

In the video, Ball can be seen standing on his left leg and performing exercises such as sitting down and standing up in a chair. Addressing Smith directly, Ball asks for the sources behind the criticism and urges him to stop "yapping." Despite the criticism, Ball expresses his fondness for Smith and asserts his determination to make a comeback.

Smith's comments were made on ESPN's "First Take," where he suggested that something had gone wrong with Ball's previous medical procedures and that he may never be the same player again. Smith even claimed that it was difficult for Ball to stand up from a seated position.

In response to Ball's video, Smith posted his own message, expressing his willingness to communicate with Ball and reminding him that he is available to talk.

The Bulls announced in March that Ball would undergo his third knee procedure in 14 months after tearing his meniscus in January 2022. As a result, he missed the entire 2022-23 season and has not played a game since the injury. The team later stated that they did not expect him to play in the upcoming season either.

Ball, who is the older brother of LiAngelo and LaMelo, was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers as the second overall pick in the 2017 draft. He was later traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019 and then to the Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2021-22 season. Prior to his injury, Ball was performing well as the Bulls' starting point guard, averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and a career-high 1.8 steals per game.