Lonzo Ball isn’t the only member of the Bulls nursing an injury entering the 2022-23 season.
Prior to the team’s season-opener against the Heat, the Bulls listed Zach LaVine as questionable on the injury report. He was later ruled out and is said to be at risk of missing multiple games to start the season.
LaVine had a career year in 2020-21 with an average of 27.4 points per game, earning him his first All-Star selection. He followed it up by averaging 24.4 points per game in 2021-22, earning him his second straight All-Star selection.
What’s next for LaVine? Here’s everything we know about his injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
MORE: Expert predictions for 2022-23 season, including MVP and best record
What is Zach LaVine’s injury?
LaVine is listed on the injury report as being out due to left knee injury management.
LaVine suffered a left knee injury in Chicago’s loss to Golden State on Jan. 14, 2022. The Bulls announced the next day that an MRI revealed no structural damage and he was not expected to miss significant time.
The injury sidelined LaVine for five straight games. He returned and appeared in 29 of Chicago’s final 37 games of the regular season. He then played in four of the team’s five games against the Bucks in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
On May 24, the Bulls announced that LaVine underwent left knee arthroscopic surgery and was expected to make a full recovery.
How long is Zach LaVine out?
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, LaVine will miss Chicago’s season-opener against Miami and may miss the team’s matchup with Washington on Friday.
The expectation is that LaVine will make his season debut on Saturday against Cleveland.
Before the season, LaVine said that he felt good but admitted he would still need to do some maintenance with his knee.
“I never said I felt a flare up,” LaVine said. “I think it’s just something we’re going to have to manage going forward. With the schedule, this is the determined course of action.
“I think we looked at the schedule and figured out what would be right for me, what would make me feel best, not just now but at the end of the season. It’s a long season, and there’s going to be some sunny days and there’s going to be some rainy days. I think if you just go forward with that mentality I’ll be alright.”
Bulls future draft picks
If LaVine’s injury ends up being more serious than expected and things go sideways for the Bulls early in the season, they do have some incentive to tank. Why? Chicago’s first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft is top-four protected. If the pick falls outside of the top four, it will go to the Magic.
If you haven’t heard, the expected No. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft has a chance to be pretty dang special.
The Bulls currently control their 2024, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030 first-round picks. Their 2025 first-round pick is also protected and will go to the Spurs if it falls outside of the top 10.
Zach LaVine career stats, highlights
- 19.8 points per game
- 3.9 rebounds per game
- 3.9 assists per game
- 0.9 steals per game
- 0.3 blocks per game
- 2.7 turnovers per game
- 31.8 minutes per game
- 46.1 percent field goal shooting
- 38.6 percent 3-point shooting
- 83.0 percent free throw shooting
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