Lonzo Ball shuts down retirement rumours: ‘I'm still waiting for a call'

Lonzo Ball has denied speculation that he is retiring from the NBA following emotional comments about his injury-plagued career sparked confusion across social media.

The 28-year-old guard appeared on the “Ball in the Family” podcast Tuesday, September 22, where he reflected on his nine seasons in the league.

Ball said: “I feel like I gave everything I had to hoop, and I feel like everything I got in my life is because of hoop. I’m grateful to even make it to the league and be able to play for nine years.”

He also discussed the daily reality of managing chronic knee pain, stating it swelled up recently while playing. To cope with the pain, he does yoga, stretching, and ice just to function, adding that it “still gonna hurt” and sometimes felt like “playing on stilts” because he can’t stop instantly without aggravating it.

The remarks were quickly clipped and framed as a retirement announcement, with various outlets reporting it as such.

Ball denied these reports on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “I retired? News to me lol cuz I’m still waiting for a call… NBA season long.”

The No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft by the Lakers, Ball has endured a brutal injury history: a torn meniscus in 2021, a cartilage transplant in 2023 after his knee was “bone on bone,” and two full seasons missed in Chicago.

He returned in 2024-25 before being traded to Cleveland, then Utah, where he was waived without playing a game. Ball averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 35 games with the Cavaliers last season.

He also revealed that he was supposed to play overseas in Dubai last week but decided against it.