The 2019-20 season has not played out how Lauri Markkanen nor the Chicago Bulls intended. The 7-footer has surprisingly struggled in his third year as his team has limped to a 21-41 record amid an injury-riddled season. In 47 games, Markkanen is averaging a career-low 15.0 points per game, down from the 18.7 points per game he put up as a sophomore.
Markkanen returned to action for Wednesday—his first game since Jan. 22 due to a stress reaction in his pelvis—and flashed some of his impressive offensive game. Markkanen had 13 points (6-10 FG) in 21 minutes in the loss to Minnesota, and did so via a high activity level and a diverse repertoire.
One of the reasons for Markkanen's struggles has been his propensity to stand around the perimeter, though he plans to break that habit and end the season on a high note. He intends to use the final 20 games to “be aggressive and get to do multiple things and not be a spot-up shooter,” as he did Wednesday.
Markkanen's shooting has been more efficient than ever (51.8 eFG%) this season, but the decreases in his rebounding (career-worst 6.4 RPG) and field goal attempts (11.9 per game) reflect the lack of activity and aggressiveness that has troubled the Bulls this year.
Head coach Jim Boylen was delighted by Markkanen's approach on Wednesday:
“I thought he was active…I thought he showed his whole game — inside, outside…He showed his full game in the minutes he played.”
The Bulls return to the court on Friday as they host the Indiana Pacers.
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