(670 The Score) The Bulls' best guess is that star guard Zach LaVine can return in about a week, coach Billy Donovan said Wednesday evening.
LaVine has been sidelined and isolating away from the team since landing in the NBA's health and safety protocols on April 15. There are a series of tests, including cardiac screening, for players to undergo after they land in the health protocols for such a long period of time. When the Bulls face the Knicks on Wednesday night, it will mark LaVine's eighth straight missed game.
"We're hopeful that this is probably gonna take another week, is our best guess," Donovan said. "There will be things that he'll have to do going into this week that are set by the league in terms of the policies and protocols. I would say that we probably have a much, much better idea of when his return would be probably after this week is completed, based on what he has to do with the protocols. But the exact date, in terms of, 'OK he'll be available for this game,' I'm not really sure. But he's gonna have to do things that the league will feel comfortable with. Once he does those things, I think that he'll be able to rejoin the team, but I still think he's got a little bit of time away from us. So I don't anticipate him coming back for our home game against Milwaukee (on Friday)."
Donovan added the Bulls could have a clearer picture next Monday or Tuesday on LaVine's return date. LaVine is averaging a team-high 27.5 points in an All-Star season. The Bulls play the Bucks on Friday, the Hawks on Saturday and the 76ers on Monday before having two off days. If everything goes to plan, that could put LaVine in line to return when Chicago visits Charlotte on May 6.
The Bulls are 4-3 in LaVine's recent absence and are in 11th place in the East, one game behind the Wizards for the 10th spot, which represents the final slot in the play-in tournament.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.
