Chicago Bulls' LaVine Enters NBA Health, Safety Protocols: Report

Chicago IL

15 April, 2021

3:39 PM

Description

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls are barely clinging to a spot in the NBA's Eastern Conference playoff picture but have fallen on hard times. The news didn't get much better on Thursday as the team could be without its leading scorer for multiple games due to possible health issues. Zach LaVine, who is averaging 27.5 points per game, is out indefinitely and will enter the league's COVID-19 health and safety protocol, according to multiple media outlets. ESPN was the first outlet to report the news, which has not been confirmed by the team. While multiple reports all indicated LaVine was entering the league's health and safety protocol, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that a source had indicated that LaVine has tested positive for the coronavirus. The Athletic reported Thursday that LaVine will miss 10-14 days - a stretch during which the Bulls are scheduled to play eight games. The Bulls, who have lost four straight games, were scheduled to practice on Thursday in preparation for Friday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The team announced it had called practice off according in line with the protocols, which were established by the league to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. LaVine has been a key contributor for the Bulls this season and his 27.5 points per game is a career best. He is also averaging 5.1 assists per game, which earned him an All-Star bid this season. But despite making a key trade several weeks that added former Orlando Magic All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to the mix, the Bulls have lost 10 of their last 13 games and are holding on to the 10th spot in the Eastern Conference standings with a 22-32 record. After Wednesday's loss to the Magic, LaVine – who scored 30 points in the nine-point loss – acknowledged that he and his teammates aren't thrilled with the Bulls' recent play. The Bulls are 3-8 since adding Vucevic in a trade that was expected to solidify their playoff position in the Eastern Conference. "Guys are frustrated," LaVine told reporters. "We know we're better. We know we know we should be beating some of these teams. Frustration has to turn into something sooner than later." He added: "We know we're a better team, but at the end of the day, it doesn't matter how much talent you have. It's how you go out there and compete. Obviously, we're trying to battle through some comfortability things, some injury things. Other teams don't care."