Just as the headline indicates, the Chicago Bulls have officially upgraded both Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter to active for tonight’s game against the 76ers!
It will be the first game for each player since early February, when Porter was officially sidelined due to a lingering back issue on the 3rd, and Markkanen hit the injury report with a shoulder injury on the 5th.
We first got word that both were likely to return on Wednesday. The two practiced in full with the team and told reporters afterward that they felt able to play. Still, the final call would be up to Donovan, but it appears he has seen enough to give both the green light.
There is a “Very Strong Possibility” Lauri Markkanen and Otto Porter Play on Thursdayhttps://t.co/jDylAULLO1
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) March 10, 2021
The only question that remains is whether or not Markkanen and Porter will see a normal workload in their first action in over a month. I’d expect to see Markkanen immediately back in the starting lineup and at least somewhat close to his normal minutes total, but the team might take things a bit slower with Porter, who has clearly become the more injury-prone of the two.
Either way, this sure does seem like a solid opponent for both to get back into a groove. While the 76ers would normally be an elite challenge, they will be without MVP candidate Joel Embiid and DPOY candidate Ben Simmons due to contract tracing procedures.
Welcome back, boys!