The most important objective that remains for the 2018 Bulls is ending the season with a healthy Lauri Markkanen, Kris Dunn, and Zach LaVine. We already know that LaVine and Dunn could be shut down for the season with their current ailments but Markkanen, despite a lingering back issue, is expected to finish out the season on the court.
Judging by how he started last night’s game against the NBA’s best regular season team, Markkanen’s back appears to be just fine.
Lauri Markkanen had himself a big start, dropping 14 points in the 1st – tying a Bulls season high for a first quarter this season: pic.twitter.com/fQb1SB04lb
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 28, 2018
It wasn’t his back that was his concern, it was his right arm after this collision with Nene.
Lauri Markkanen defending Nene seems to injure his arm. pic.twitter.com/21CDoo7a2T
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) March 28, 2018
Thankfully, it turned out to be nothing more than some funnybone pain and he would return to the game and play regular second-half minutes, finishing with 22 points.
The Bulls blowout loss last night marked their sixth straight L, and has them just one game ahead of the Magic in the loss column for the 4th worst record in the league. Maybe letting Markkanen sit the final eight games to avoid scares like last night would be in the Bulls best interest?
