On the back-end of a back-to-back set, Zach LaVine has found his way onto the injury report.
The Chicago Bulls list LaVine as “questionable” for tonight’s contest in Milwaukee. All things considered, it wasn’t hard to see this one coming when we remember his looming knee soreness. Not only is this something the All-Star guard will deal with for the remainder of the season, but it’s something the Bulls will want to ensure is feeling the best it can heading toward the playoffs. One way to do just that is to consider resting him in back-to-back situations.
For what it’s worth, though, LaVine has played a back-to-back set since he returned to action on February 24th. He appeared in both games against the Atlanta Hawks and Milwaukee Bucks on March 3rd and 4th, scoring 22 and 30 points, respectively. So I’m sure it will all depend on how spry the elite scorer feels as the day progresses. He certainly looked fresh last night as propelled the Bulls to victory with a 16-point 3rd quarter, but we never know what the after-effects of that strenuous performance might be.
As for Milwaukee, they will for sure be without their All-Star scorer. The Bucks have already ruled out Khris Middleton for tonight’s matchup due to a wrist injury. This will be Middleton’s first missed game since New Year’s Day when Milwaukee welcomed the New Orleans Pelicans to the Fiserv Forum.
Averaging 20.4 points with 5.4 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game, there is no question Middleton is key to the Bucks’ sustained success. And he’s been particularly hot over his past nine contests, scoring 25.3 points per game on an absurd 49.2 percent mark from downtown. For a Bulls defense hoping to build on a performance we saw hold the Raptors under 100 points last night, dodging Middleton likely brings a tiny sigh of relief.