Before the Bulls’ in-season tournament matchup with the Raptors on Friday, All-Star guard Zach LaVine has been listed on the team’s injury report.
The Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors will play their second-to-last NBA In-Season Tournament group stage match on Friday night. The Bulls, who are currently 5-11 on the season, are in desperate need of a victory, especially against an Eastern Conference opponent like the Raptors. Zach LaVine is listed as out due to injury, so the Bulls may have to try to win without one of their stars. Now that LaVine’s condition for this game is unknown, the question is: Will Zach LaVine play tonight against the Raptors?
Zach LaVine injury status vs. Raptors
Zach LaVine’s status for Friday’s game against the Raptors is currently listed as questionable because of right foot soreness. Though it doesn’t seem to be a serious injury, the All-Star guard has been dealing with what he recently described as a right mid-foot sprain. LaVine’s capacity to play has also been hampered by it, as seen by his recent absence from his team’s matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Chicago ultimately lost this away game, 116-102.
LaVine could miss his second straight game at a crucial juncture for the Bulls, who are in dire need of starting to string together some victories after not missing a single game to start the season.
The Bulls are now the topic of trade talks in the NBA because of their slow start to the season and internal dissatisfaction. Regarding LaVine and his future with the team, given that he recently inked a five-year, $215 million contract in 2022, many in the league anticipate that they will be sellers at this season’s trade deadline.
Bulls interest in Ale Caruso and Patrick Williams is in addition to LaVine’s name being mentioned in trade rumors.
LaVine has been a key member of the Bulls leadership group and still is. He is crucial to Chicago’s chances of success because his scoring output is unmatched.
LaVine has averaged 21.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 43.1 percent from the field in a total of 15 games this season. The 28-year-old, who is currently in his 10th NBA season—his seventh with the Bulls—may very well end up with a new team in the upcoming months.