Chicago Bulls‘ two-time All-Star Zach LaVine is one step closer to returning to the court pain-free.
Knee issues have plagued LaVine throughout his basketball career, starting with a torn ACL in his left knee while he was playing for the Timberwolves in 2017. Since recovering, he’s been able to shine in Chicago for the last five seasons, although injuries have taken their toll periodically throughout.
This season’s 67 games were the most LaVine has played since the 2015-16 season, and even all of those were played with some level of pain or discomfort. Fortunately, the news of his upcoming left knee scope procedure has a positive prognosis.
Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine to undergo scope procedure on left knee in the coming weeks, sources say. Details: pic.twitter.com/lViTnR8nVu
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 12, 2022
“The surgery will address a knee issue that was diagnosed in January which LaVine played through all season,” said Shams Charania. “LaVine wanted to play through the injury as he made a push to lead the Bulls to their first playoff appearance since 2017.”
According to Shams, LaVine will undergo the procedure in the coming weeks and is expected to make a full recovery.
LaVine’s health is one of the Bulls’ biggest priorities
Ideally, the Bulls will be able to run it back next season with a fully healthy squad, which proved to be serious contenders when all available. Unfortunately, they were one of the teams hit the hardest by long-term injuries at the worst time, cutting their comeback season shorter than expected.
While they still have other issues to address this summer, the health of Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine should be the biggest priorities heading into the 2022-23 NBA season.
Assuming everything goes well with the surgery, the Bulls will likely have to contend with a number of suitors for their unrestricted free agent in LaVine, who’s already made it known he will test the waters a bit in the coming months.
However free agency goes for LaVine, the positive news about his expected recovery is welcome for Bulls fans, who have had it bad when it comes to the injury bug since the season began.