Rookie forward Lauri Markkanen is set to return to the Chicago Bulls’ lineup for their game against the Utah Jazz following a one-game absence due to back spasms, Vincent Goodwill of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Markkanen, the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft, missed out on the Bulls’ shock 108-85 win over the Boston Celtics. Nikola Mirotic filled in for Markkanen in the starting lineup, scoring 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting with eight rebounds, while Bobby Portis added 23 points off the bench.
After going on an extended shooting slump which saw him hit just 31 percent of his shots in a nine-game span, Markkanen has rediscovered his shot in recent games. He’s gone 15-of-29 over his last two games to help the Bulls to wins over the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Knicks.
Markkanen is having a strong rookie season overall, averaging 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds in 30.7 minutes while starting all 25 games he’s played.
After losing 10 straight games, the Bulls have now won a season-high three games in a row. With Markkanen back, they will look to extend it against a struggling Utah Jazz team which has subsequently lost three in a row after winning six consecutive games.
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