Lonzo Ball calls out Stephen A. Smith over ‘sad’ knee report

Lonzo Ball was not going to take Stephen A. Smith’s commentary sitting down.

On ESPN’s “First Take” on Tuesday, Smith mentioned of Ball, who is out for the whole 2023-24 season after additionally lacking all of final season as a consequence of a knee harm, that “I don’t assume he’ll ever be the identical… I’ve heard that it’s even onerous for him to rise up from the sitting place… I’m actually, actually unhappy for him.”

Ball noticed the phase and responded to it on Twitter, with a video during which he stood up and sat down a number of occasions utilizing solely his left knee.

He captioned the video, “@stephenasmith come to the precise supply subsequent time. I’m not onerous to succeed in.”

“Who’re your sources, bro? Please inform me who your sources are,” Ball mentioned. “Come on man, you gotta cease yapping, and I truly such as you, man! And I don’t even know you want that — I’m coming again, man, come on!”

Ball completed by strolling off.

Smith was unbothered by the show, tweeting in response, “Joyful to take action, Lonzo. Good to know you’d lastly like me to succeed in out. Not an issue. You understand how to succeed in me, too. I’m right here.”

Ball signed a four-year contract with the Bulls value $80 million earlier than the 2021-22 season and has solely performed 35 video games to date for the group.

With out Ball, the Bulls completed 40-42 final season, ranked tenth within the Japanese Convention, dropping to the Warmth within the NBA’s play-in event.