The Chicago Bulls have had a difficult 2024-25 season so far, starting 10-15 with a disappointing home record of 3-9. After a two-game losing streak, the Bulls hosted the Charlotte Hornets on Friday and got off to a flying start.

The Bulls took a 15-point halftime lead thanks to an impressive team performance. Chicago had an easy time getting balls and scored the fourth-most points per game in the NBA, but also has the fourth-worst defensive rating.

Luckily for the Bulls, one of the NBA’s top defenders recently returned to action. After missing 15 straight games, point guard Lonzo Ball plays his sixth game back from injury on Friday and is doing his best to make a difference.

Late in the first half, Ball grabbed a long rebound and immediately got in transition to throw to his star teammate Zach LaVine for the alley-oop slam. The stellar connection between Ball and LaVine has gone viral, especially as fans are excited to see the former second overall pick find his rhythm again.

On Chicago Bulls: “THE LONZO BALL EFFECT.”

Via NBA: “LONZO MAKES GAMES
Turn on the jets on the loose ball and throw it to LaVine for the JAM!”

Via NBA on ESPN: “LONZO (to) LAVINE”

Via Barstool Chicago: “Lonzo on break is poetry in motion.”

Having the ball back on the court is exactly what the Bulls need, especially with such a valuable backup point guard. The standout guard had the same luck with injuries as any other NBA player, missing the entire 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons before finally returning this year. Seeing a ball like that play as if it never left is a great sight for any fan.

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