Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine. (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine had to leave Friday’s game against the Warriors with a knee injury but the latest update leans towards optimism.
The Bulls got a big scare on Friday night when Zach LaVine went down with an apparent knee injury.
Immediately, concern over his immediate and long-term status spiked, especially when he was ruled out for the remainder of the game against the Warriors.
However, there was soon positive news to bring a certain amount of calm.
Zach LaVine injury update: Bulls star needs MRI
According to Bulls insider K.C. Johnson, LaVine will need an MRI but the initial examination didn’t point to an ACL issue.
LaVine will undergo an MRI on Saturday, per source. The Bulls play in Boston. The initial plan is that it’s unlikely LaVine begins the two-game trip with the team, per source. https://t.co/SLDpF4R78g
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 15, 2022
While LaVine looks unlikely to join Chicago on their road trip to face the Celtics and Grizzlies. However, he was able to walk out of the arena under his own power.
Zach LaVine’s MRI may get pushed to tonight, but he left the United Center walking fine and is expressing confidence to others the injury isn’t serious, per source. LaVine quietly had been playing through some minor knee swelling, the source said. Tonight’s discomfort added to it
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 15, 2022
No team ever wants a star player to be dealing with a knee problem. However, the early indications are that this particular issue isn’t likely to keep LaVine out of action for too long. Of course, the result of the MRI will ultimately be the judge of that.
LaVine is averaging 25.6 points per game this season as a key part of the Bulls’ bright start to the campaign.
Chicago will want LaVine back as soon as possible. Without him, the Bulls struggled to keep pace with the Warriors. Golden State ran away with Friday’s game, 138-96.