2 min read • January 16, 2022
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The injuries have started coming and they won't stop coming for the Bulls.
Starting guards Zach Lavine and Lonzo Ball were ruled out of Saturday's game versus the Celtics with knee injuries.
The pair join Patrick Williams, Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr., and Alex Caruso on the injured list for Chicago.
While Lavine, Ball, and Caruso should be able to return shortly, Chicago will still be nonetheless shorthanded during a tough 3-game stretch starting next Monday against the Grizzlies, Cavs, and Bucks, who have a combined 83-51 record (62% winning rate).
None of the 3 are expected to be available on Monday against Memphis.
Only 3 Bulls who played double-digit minutes in the Bulls' opening game win – DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Ayo Dosunmu – were available tonight. Caruso is reportedly going to return on Wednesday after being cleared from health and safety protocols.
Lavine suffered a minor sprain and is not expected to miss much time after an MRI taken on Saturday showed no structural damage. The diagnosis is in line with the ProBasketballDocs' initial opinion of Lavine's injury.
Lonzo Ball's situation is not as clear. He was ruled out after experiencing left knee soreness and will potentially miss even more games, according to reports.
Ball missed a total of 24 games over the final 3 months of the 2017-18 season with 2 separate injuries – an MCL sprain and contusion – on his left knee, which led to a surgery to repair a torn meniscus in the offseason.
After a 26-10 start to the season, the Bulls have lost 4 of their last 5, with 3 coming by double-digits, 2 straight by a combined 68 points against the Nets and Warriors.
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