NEWSLETTER
Head coach Billy Donovan told reporters before Monday’s loss to the 76ers that he was hopeful Zach LaVine could return to the floor Thursday night.
Now, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, it appears that hope will become a reality.
Chicago All-Star guard Zach LaVine plans to return to the Bulls lineup Thursday vs. Charlotte after missing time due to protocols, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 5, 2021
LaVine has missed 11-straight games after news broke on April 15th that he entered the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols. We first saw him back with the team on at the Bulls home game on April 30th, but Donovan said he still had not passed all the proper tests to rejoin the team at full capacity. However, ahead of Monday night’s game, LaVine was apparently given the green light to return to normal on-court activity.
NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson says he has completed individual workouts with no hiccups, and he will practice with the team today.
Billy Donovan pointed to this scenario on Monday. LaVine handled off-day workout Tuesday without incident and is on track to practice today. https://t.co/vkopmpGdsZ
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) May 5, 2021
The Bulls currently sit 4.0 games back of the 10th seed with just even games to go. So while LaVine’s return is a much-welcomed sight for the Bulls fans who will return to the United Center for the last four games this season, it’s hard to believe it means much in terms of the organization’s postseason chances. The only two games remaining against non-Top-8 seeds in the Eastern Conference are matchups with the Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons.
Regardless, Bulls basketball with LaVine is always better than the alternative, so welcome back, All-Star! WOOHOO!
