Lonzo Ball is making his first splash in the NBA return after a nearly three-year absence

Lonzo Ball is officially back.

The Chicago Bulls guard returned to the NBA court on Wednesday night, checking in at the United Center midway through the first quarter of a preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Ball received a standing ovation from Bulls fans as he penetrated the basketball. Not long after, the 26-year-old sank a three-point attempt from the corner.

Ball, the No. 2 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, last appeared in an NBA game on Jan. 14, 2022 – a span of 1,006 days. After the Bulls lost 138-96 to the Golden State Warriors that night, Ball had to miss the following game due to knee pain and underwent surgery a few days later.

Ball endured two more knee surgeries and slowly made his way back to the basketball court. Back in September, Bulls president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas stated that he expected Ball to be ready for opening night this season due to a minutes restriction.

Ball is entering the final year of a four-year, $85 million contract he signed in 2021. In 252 career games, Ball averages 11.9 points, 6.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds per contest, although he never played more than 63 games in a season.