Bulls hoping to have LaVine back Thursday
It may be too late to save the Bulls' play-in push, but Zach LaVine has finally been cleared to return from health and safety protocols. Coach Billy Donovan said LaVine is hoping to return Thursday when the Bulls visit Charlotte.
LaVine missed his 11th game Monday when the Bulls played Philadelphia at the United Center.
"He has been able to do some workouts, did some of those over the weekend," Donovan said before the game. "It's just a matter of right now ... with him being out for as long as he's been out, getting his legs back under him."
LaVine returned to the Bulls bench Friday when they lost to Milwaukee and Donovan said he participated in Monday's shootaround.
"I think he's excited to be back playing," Donovan said. "I think for him getting in the gym was good. He would be available to play (Monday), but there's just not enough time for him to get his legs back under him."
Center Nikola Vucevic missed his second straight game Monday with right abductor tightness. It's not clear if he'll be back on Thursday.
"He had images taken on his hip," Donovan said. "There's nothing significant there. He's still feeling it. He didn't really do anything today at shootaround. we'll get a better idea having these two days (off)."
LaVine is averaging a career-high 27.5 points this season. Vucevic has averaged 22.3 points and 10.9 rebounds in 20 games since joining the Bulls. After playing the Sixers, the Bulls will have seven games left in the season.
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