Chicago Bulls all-star guard Zach LaVine has cleared the NBA’s health and safety protocols, according to head coach Billy Donovan. The team shared the news on their official Twitter account, along with more information regarding his eventual return to the team.
Zach LaVine has cleared NBA protocols and can rejoin the team, per Billy Donovan.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) May 3, 2021
He's out tonight but the hope is Zach is good to play on Thursday vs the Hornets. pic.twitter.com/ZNzKwjV1BB
The game against the Philadelphia 76ers will be the 11th straight game LaVine has missed but there is a light at the end of the tunnel as Donovan seems hopeful he will make an on-court return Thursday against the Charlotte Hornets.
The news comes a little bit too late for the Bulls, who have seen their playoff chances sink in LaVine’s absence. Most recently, they were given a less than one percent chance of making the NBA’s playoffs.
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There will still be value in getting LaVine back on the court, though. Not only will he want to get back out there but the Bulls front office needs to gather as much tape on their current roster as they can before a huge offseason for the organization.
Specifically, LaVine needs to get on the court with Nikola Vucevic. Vooch is also out tonight against the 76ers but the team got positive news on his recent MRI and it seems like he will be able to suit up for some of the team’s remaining games.
Those two, along with Rookie Patrick Williams, need as much time on the court together as possible. That won’t start against the 76ers but is in play Thursday when the team takes on the Charlotte Hornets.
The Bulls enter tonight’s game trailing the Washington Wizards for the 10 seed in the eastern conference. Including the game against Philadelphia, the Bulls have eight games remaining this season.