Among the more controversial players actually participating in the All-Star Game this weekend thanks to injury issues is the Chicago Bulls now two-time All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine. There are some interesting tidbits coming from the LaVine injury situation during All-Star Weekend concerning his lingering knee issues.
LaVine missed the last the last three games for the Bulls and five of the last eight due mostly to lower-body injury issues. And the concern with him participating in the festivities during All-Star Weekend on Feb. 19 and 20, respectively, mainly has to do with the fact that he’s still dealing with a pretty lengthy ongoing situation with his left knee.
With how much is on the line for the Bulls down the stretch this season, it made sense to think that LaVine might hold out of the festivities during All-Star Weekend. It was just a few days ago that LaVine was still absent with the Bulls dealing with this knee injury.
Chicago Bulls’ star Zach LaVine is reportedly playing in the All-Star Game this weekend
Zach LaVine said during All-Star media session his knee feels "great" after visit with LA specialist
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) February 19, 2022
"The last three games I just had to take it upon myself to make sure I was OK for the second half of the season." Called season an important one for him
It was reported on Feb. 19 that LaVine said his knee “feels great” since he visited with a specialist in Los Angeles this week. That has to bode well for the Bulls if LaVine’s knee is feeling better. But it’s clear that he is still getting treatments for the knee injury during the All-Star Break.
LaVine reportedly got treatment for his knee including drainage and wrapping ahead of the 3-Point Shootout this weekend.
There are going to be Bulls fans that want LaVine to sit out All-Star Weekend. But if he’s getting his knee checked out and treated this much during the festivities of All-Star Weekend, it looks like he’s taking the whole process seriously.
Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine will travel to Los Angeles to see a specialist for his left knee early this week, sources tell ESPN. LaVine has been dealing with recurring discomfort and will get further evaluation. He’s still planning to participate in All-Star Weekend.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2022
A lot of nervous Bulls fans came up in reaction to a tweet from Adrian Wojnarowski on Feb. 13 concerning him getting another look at his knee injury ahead of All-Star Weekend.
Realistically, can you blame them?
LaVine is an incredibly important part of the Bulls’ efforts to make a deep postseason run this year. He’ll need to be healthy come postseason time for the Bulls to really reach true peak efficiency in the next few months.
With LaVine competing in multiple events during All-Star Weekend, it will also be interesting to see how he’s able to visibly handle any pain he’s dealing with in the process.
LaVine’s first event of All-Star Weekend is the 3-Point Shootout on Feb. 19. He’ll be trying to get his first crown in the event after participating for the third time in his career. If LaVine comes away with the crown in this event, he would be the first to ever win an NBA Slam Dunk Contest and the 3-Point Shootout.