(670 The Score) Sidelined by a stress reaction in his right pelvis for the past six weeks, Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen is set for his return.
Markkanen will start when Chicago visits Minnesota on Wednesday evening, coach Jim Boylen told reporters at morning shootaround. Markkanen is expected to play 18 to 20 minutes.
"I want his compete level to be high, which I'm sure it will be," Boylen said, according to NBC Sports Chicago. "Everything else will fall into place."
Markkanen has missed the Bulls' past 15 game and hasn't played since Jan. 22. He has been mired in a disappointing season, posting career-low averages of 15.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 42.4% field-goal shooting. At various points, he has lamented how he has been used a spot-up shooter too often in Boylen's offensive system.
In other injury news, Bulls guard Zach LaVine will miss his second straight game with a quad injury. Forward Otto Porter Jr. will come off the bench again after returning from a foot injury in a win against the Mavericks on Monday evening. Porter will have a minutes limit in the 20-22 range, NBC Sports Chicago reported.
