(670 The Score) The Bulls’ daunting task against the defending champion Bucks just got more difficult.
Star guard Zach LaVine has entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols, the team announced Tuesday. Bulls coach Billy Donovan called LaVine "questionable" to play in Game 5 on Wednesday in Milwaukee, though the expectation is he'll be out, according to multiple reports. The Bucks lead 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.
This marks the fourth known time that LaVine has encountered a COVID-19 issue in the past 13 months. He landed in the health and safety protocols in April 2021 and this past December with the Bulls. Between that, he also briefly entered the protocols in July while playing for Team USA in the Summer Olympics.
LaVine averaged 24.4 points in the regular season, the 17th-best mark in the NBA. He’s averaging 19.3 points and 6.0 assists in four playoff games. LaVine has also been hampered in recent months by chronic knee soreness.
LaVine isn't the only starting Bulls guard who could be sidelined for Game 5. Alex Caruso remained in the concussion protocol as of midday Tuesday, Donovan told reporters. Caruso won't accompany the team Tuesday when it travels to Milwaukee, though he hasn't officially been ruled out yet. He'll undergo more testing in the next 24 hours. He was injured in Game 4 when he took an elbow to the face.
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