(670 The Score) Bulls guard Zach LaVine is out against the Lakers on Tuesday night after an MRI confirmed he has patellar tendon strain in his right knee, coach Jim Boylen said after shootaround.
LaVine was sidelined for Chicago's 131-108 loss at Detroit on Sunday as well, and he didn't practice Monday. Boylen did mention that LaVine's knee has improved and characterized him as "day to day."
The Bulls haven't yet discussed shutting LaVine down for the season, Boylen said Monday. That's an approach they used a year ago, as he missed the last 14 games after suffering soreness in his surgically repaired left knee.
LaVine, 24, is pacing with career-best marks of 23.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 46.8 percent shooting this season.
Boylen has emphasized the Bulls will be cautious with LaVine.
"What we're hoping for is every day he responds and gets a little better," Boylen said. "It's not the situation or time of year to push a guy to try to get a certain seed or home court. That's about as simply as I could put it. We have to understand that."
