Bulls All-Star to see knee specialist in Los Angeles

As All-Star Weekend approaches, the Chicago Bulls will have to re-adjust to life without All-Star guard Zach LaVine.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, LaVine will leave the team to travel to Los Angeles to see a specialist for a troublesome left knee injury.

Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine will travel to Los Angeles to see a specialist for his left knee early this week, sources tell ESPN. LaVine has been dealing with recurring discomfort and will get further evaluation. He’s still planning to participate in All-Star Weekend.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2022

LaVine is averaging 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, numbers good enough to earn the second All-Star selection of his career after earning the first in 2021.

Here’s what we know about LaVine’s status.

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What is Zach LaVine’s injury?

After playing nearly 37 minutes on Feb. 11, LaVine missed the Bulls’ Feb. 12 game against the Thunder due to “left knee injury management.”

LaVine played less than four minutes against the Warriors on Jan. 14 before missing the next five games with an issue in the same knee, though an MRI revealed “no significant structural damage.” Since that break, LaVine had appeared in nine of Chicago’s 11 games before sitting out against the Thunder on Saturday.

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It’s worth noting that in 2017, LaVine suffered a torn left ACL in the same knee.

How long will Zach LaVine be out?

With LaVine traveling to see a specialist, he will miss each of the Bulls’ remaining two games ahead of All-Star Weekend (Feb. 14 vs. Spurs, Feb. 16 vs. Kings).

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According to Wojnarowski, there is “a level of concern within the organization,” surrounding LaVine’s status moving forward.

The Bulls’ first game following the All-Star break is on Thursday, Feb. 24 against the Hawks.

Will Zach LaVine play in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game?

LaVine currently plans to participate in the All-Star Game, per Wojnarowski. Given the fact that the situation is fluid, his status for the All-Star Game could soon change.

Should LaVine elect to rest instead of participating in the upcoming All-Star Game, Commissioner Adam Silver would appoint an injury replacement from a pool of Eastern Conference players.

Bulls schedule 2021-22

Date	Opponent	Time (ET)	National TV
Feb. 14	vs. Spurs	8:00 p.m.	NBA TV
Feb. 16	vs. Kings	8:00 p.m.	–
Feb. 20	NBA All-Star Game	8:00 p.m.	TNT
Feb. 24	vs. Hawks	8:00 p.m.	–
Feb. 26	vs. Grizzlies	8:00 p.m.	–