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Zach LaVine continues to progress through recovery from a right foot injury, but the Chicago Bulls still aren’t sure when their maximum contract star will be ready to return to the court.
The Bulls originally set a 3-4 week estimated recovery window for LaVine on Dec. 6, which would have returned the guard to the court sometime between Wednesday and Jan. 3. But that timeline didn’t account for additional requirements to return to play, including regaining game fitness and progressing through contact practices.
Coach Billy Donovan said LaVine responded well to his first day of increased activity Tuesday — which included cutting and lateral movement drills — following three weeks of rest.
“He came out of it good so I think he’s going to do a little bit more,” Donovan said. “I think there’s going to be a steady increase on what he’s doing. Everything up to this point in time that he’s had to go through, he’s really done a great job and medical guys have done a great job and everybody feels like he’s progressing at the right state.”
LaVine continued those exercises during practice at the Advocate Center on Wednesday, starting with straight-ahead running before moving into side-to-side drills.
Since the injury is concentrated along the outer metatarsal of LaVine’s foot, regaining full range of motion in lateral movements will be a key before LaVine is cleared by the team’s medical staff. Donovan said LaVine has several hurdles to clear before he can return to contact practices, which will likely take place with player development staff or Windy City players.
Chicago Tribune Sports
Throughout the extended absence, Donovan said LaVine has remained vocal in the locker room and eager to progress through his recovery.
“I think he’s a lot happier now because he can get on the court and he can run and he can do some shooting and he can work out,” Donovan said. “He’s been great. He’s been in good spirits and I think being able to work out and see himself make progress has been really positive.”
Nikola Vučević could miss 1-2 weeks with groin injury
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The Bulls are also set to play without starting center Nikola Vučević for at least another week due to a groin injury.
Vučević missed Tuesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks after injuring his groin while attempting to contest a dunk in Saturday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. According to a report by The Athletic, that absence could extend to 7-10 days, which would prevent Vučević from playing in at least five games including a back-to-back road trip to New York and Philadelphia.
Donovan said Vučević has felt better each day this week, but still can’t place a timeline on the center’s return.
“It’s just hard for me to say how long it would be,” Donovan said, adding the team may have a better idea in a few days.
The Bulls will continue to rely on backup center Andre Drummond in Vučević's absence.