Chicago Bulls All-Star guard and key cog to their offense Zach LaVine is out for the team’s season opener vs. the Miami Heat Wednesday due to concern about his knee, a story broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic and confirmed to reporters by the Bulls.
Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine (left knee management) will miss tonight’s opener vs. Heat.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2022
LaVine also could be out Friday night against the Wizards, the first night of a back-to-back, with a return Saturday against the Cavaliers, Charania notes. LaVine had been listed as questionable for the game. This means the Bulls are without their entire starting backcourt as Lonzo Ball remains out following his knee surgery.
“Left knee management” in the season’s first game raises a red flag. LaVine had his knee scoped in the offseason and was limited during the preseason, not playing in every game and shooting under 40%.
For a Bulls team entering the season with playoff aspirations in a deep Eastern Conference, there are few nights off and games they can afford to give up. The Heat are always tough to play against and bring maximum effort, but the Friday night game against the Wizards is the kind of game the Bulls need to win consistently to make the postseason.
