Initial Read on Zach LaVine’s MRI is Positive, “Not Expected to Miss Significant Time”

January 15, 2022, by Elias Schuster Chicago Bulls

Breathe.

The Chicago Bulls announced this afternoon that Zach LaVine underwent an MRI that revealed no structural damage. LaVine will be treated accordingly and re-evaluated early next week for a return timetable.

Most importantly, the team explicitly stated that LaVine “is not expected to miss significant time.”

Zach LaVine underwent an MRI this morning which revealed no significant structural damage to his left knee.

LaVine has begun targeted therapy and will be reassessed early next week when a more definitive timetable will be determined.

He is not expected to miss significant time.

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 15, 2022

Considering the situation that surrounded last night’s LaVine exit (which you can catch up on here), this is incredibly positive news. LaVine, who checked himself out of the game just over 4 minutes in, walked straight to the locker room after grabbing a non-contact rebound.

NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson reported after the game that LaVine had been dealing with minor knee soreness, something he states isn’t unusual for LaVine, who had an ACL surgery in that same knee back in 2017.

Zach LaVine’s MRI is done.Initial read is that it showed no structural damage, per sources. As reported last night, LaVine has been playing through knee soreness the last couple weeks. It has flared up occasionally ever since his ACL surgery. Team/LaVine still discussing timeline

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 15, 2022

Of course, we’re not completely out of the woods yet as we await a timetable for his return, but the fact the team feels confident enough to share that he will not miss significant time is about as encouraging as it can get right now.

It was also encouraging to see LaVine take to Twitter for his own virtual sigh of relief.