2 min read • April 16, 2022
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After losing Lonzo Ball for the season and ending their regular season campaign with a disappointing last 2 months, the Bulls will lean even more heavily on all-star guard Zach Lavine in the playoffs.
Lavine will have to juggle the two-way responsibilities against the defending champion Bucks on a left knee that has been hobbled since mid-January.
After tweaking his knee midway through the first quarter of a 42-point loss to the Warriors at the mid-point of the season, Lavine has missed 13 games with left knee soreness.
Lavine and head coach Billy Donovan have focused on making certain Lavine is at his healthiest when the playoffs begin, and as he enters his first playoff series, the ProBasketballDocs give the high-flying wing an SIC Health score of 90.
The 27-year-old and Donovan have each mentioned that he is playing through discomfort and, while he is not at any major injury risk, he is less than 100% and will have to manage the injury for at least the rest of the season.
The Docs said earlier this season that Lavine is likely dealing with osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear, in his surgically-repaired knee as a consequence of his Feb. 2017 ACL tear and overuse in his career. The issue is manageable with time off and modalities, such as the PRP and lubricant he received before the all-star break.
Because Bulls' brass has done a good job of giving him days off at every available opportunity, he should be rested and healthy enough entering the playoffs.
Lavine is averaging 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 4,7 assists on 46.2% shooting in 20 games since the all-star break, so the issue has not stopped him from producing.
Because of the recent returns of Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams, Lavine's responsibilities at the defensive end will not feature guarding Khris Middleton and/or Jrue Holliday against the Bucks, leaving him free to use his energy on the offensive side.
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