Chicago Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen went through a scary moment during his team's loss to the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night, as he played just 16 minutes and exited early due to a rapid heart rate and extreme fatigue.
As a result, Markkanen was shut down for the remainder of the season.
The good news is that the second-year player says he is feeling better after a workout on Friday, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Markkanen added that he wore a heart monitor during his workout and that he will practice a bit and travel with the team as if he is a “regular NBA player.” He will also continue to wear a heart monitor to provide the team's medical staff with information.
Hopefully, Markkanen can get healthy and will be ready to get back on the floor next season, because he looks like he has a chance to be special.
In 52 games this season, the 21-year-old averaged 18.7 points and 9.0 rebounds over 32.3 minutes per game while shooting 43.0 percent from the floor, 36.1 percent from 3-point range and 87.2 percent from the free-throw line.
While his defense leaves much to be desired, offensively, he seems to have ridiculous potential and has even drawn comparisons to Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki for his ability to spread the floor and make defenses work.
Markkanen, who played his collegiate basketball at the University of Arizona, was originally selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the seventh overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft but was immediately traded to the Bulls in a deal that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota.
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