Javonte Green Struggling to Progress in Rehab Due to Discomfort
Head coach Billy Donovan shared some bad news before Sunday’s game at the United Center.
The head coach told reporters that Javonte Green has struggled to progress in his rehab due to discomfort in his right knee. While the versatile forward has been able to do straight-line-running, Green has experienced issues when trying to cut and move laterally.
Moving laterally is the next step for Green to begin his journey back onto the court. Without entering that stage soon, it’s hard to know if there will be enough time left in the season for him to make a full return. The Bulls have only 18 games left in the year and will play their last regular season contest on April 9.
News broke that Green would undergo a minor knee surgery on Jan. 10. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski initially reported that the Bulls were optimistic that Green could return in one month. He’s now been out for 54 days and has missed the last 28 games.
The arthroscopic debridement procedure that Green underwent was the same thing Lonzo Ball had in the fall after he failed to make a full recovery from his initial surgery last January. Obviously, Ball faced similar struggles with discomfort and was recently ruled out for the remainder of the season.
What rests ahead for Green is unclear, but this certainly isn’t the news the Bulls wanted to hear as they attempt to make a push for the Play-In Tournament. Green was a pivotal part of last year’s team and this year’s early-season rotation. His energy and ability to play bigger than he is helped this team tremendously on the defensive end and in transition. Not to mention, for a struggling halfcourt offense, Green’s tendency to cut hard to the rim and soar for offensive rebounds is sorely missed.
Get well soon, Javonte.
