(670 The Score) Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen and guard Ryan Arcidiacono continue to test negative for COVID-19 while in the NBA’s health protocols, giving coach Billy Donovan optimism that they could be available when Chicago hosts Boston on Tuesday.
Markkanen and Arcidiacono landed in the health protocols on Dec. 31 after they were deemed to be close contacts with an individual/individuals who tested positive. In the aftermath, the Bulls revealed that forward Chandler Hutchison and guard Tomas Satoransky tested positive. After a long stretch of being away from the gym and not getting workouts in, Markkanen and Arcidiacono have now engaged in some conditioning, Donovan said.
“We’ve been able to get them some work in through the league,” Donovan said before the Bulls’ game at the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday evening. “Obviously, the league plays a major role in that. We’re working with them on it. But we’ve been able to get some work done, which I think has been at least good considering it’s been about a week since they’ve really had any work like that.”
Markkanen and Arcidiacono have missed the past five games and will miss at least the next two as well – against the Lakers on Friday and Clippers on Sunday. After that, it’s possible they could return to action Tuesday if they get league clearance and a good day’s work in Monday.
“My guess would be that when we get back, they’d be able to rejoin the team,” Donovan said, noting the NBA would make that decision.
“The biggest thing for us is when we get back, can we just integrate them right back into the team? My guess would be we would be if they continue to test negative. But we’d only have really one day between the next day that we would play. So I think if they can get some work in while we’re out West, that’s helpful to reacclimating them to the team and then hopefully them being in a position physically where they could play the next game.”
The team's starting power forward, Markkanen was off to a strong start, averaging 17.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in the first four games. Arcidiacono wasn’t in the Bulls’ rotation when he was sidelined.
It’s unclear when Hutchison and Satoransky -- who are key members of the second unit -- might return. Players who test positive must miss at least 12 days of action – and usually miss more depending on how quickly they recover and how long it takes to get back into game shape.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.