Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg updated the status of second-year stretch forward Lauri Markkanen Monday and the news isn't good.
Lauri Markkanen suffered a high-grade lateral right elbow sprain during training camp. The Bulls initially said Markkanen would miss six-to-eight weeks. Hoiberg said Monday, though, that the Bulls will take the cautious approach to make sure Lauri is 100 percent, which means the Bulls' young star is still two-to-three weeks away from playing, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
This Thursday is 7 weeks since Lauri Markkanen elbow injury. Bulls initially guessed 6-8 week absence. Fred Hoiberg said Bulls will take cautious approach to make sure he's 100 percent. Probably 2-4 weeks away.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) November 12, 2018
The Bulls acquired the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen in the Jimmy Butler trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer of 2017, along with point guard Kris Dunn and shooting guard Zach LaVine. The 21-year-old Finn averaged 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game during his rookie year last season. He shot 43.4 percent from the field, 36.2 percent from beyond the arc and 84.3 percent from the free-throw line.
The young sharpshooter made the All-Rookie first team and has become a fan-favorite in Chicago. Markkanen’s injury before the season even started put a huge damper on the year, but hopefully, he will be able to come back soon and help the team win some games.
Whenever Lauri Markkanen is ready to play, he is expected to enter the starting lineup. Bobby Portis started in Markkanen’s place before he suffered a knee injury. Jabari Parker is starting at the moment.
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