The Chicago Bulls announced that Zach LaVine would miss their season opener due to left knee management. LaVine underwent knee surgery over the summer and signed a five-year extension once the free agency period began.
LaVine told reporters he wasn’t experiencing specific pain or soreness in the knee and described his absence the same way the Bulls did, injury “management.” The injury hasn’t sparked concerns in LaVine, especially after they decided to re-sign the former UCLA Bruin.
“I just want to make sure I’m safe with bringing myself back in and managing it the way it is,” LaVine said, per the Chicago Tribune. “Just going forward, I want to make sure I’m 100% at the end of the season.”
Zach LaVine (left knee management) is OUT for tonight’s season opener in Miami. pic.twitter.com/U6njQJ833h
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 19, 2022
The Bulls haven’t announced LaVine’s availability in a road game against the Washington Wizards or their home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Sources: Zach LaVine may also miss Friday’s game vs. Wizards, with likelihood the two-time All-Star makes his season debut in Saturday’s home opener vs. Cleveland. https://t.co/YdRRrgua5y
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2022
However, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that LaVine would miss Chicago’s contest against Washington. Furthermore, Chicago said that there’s no timeline or goal date to determine what his availability will be going forward.
“I wish I had a crystal ball to look into the future. I really do,” LaVine said. “It’d be great if I could figure that out. I’d look up some lottery ticket numbers if I could do that.”
