Chicago Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg updated the status of second-year player Lauri Markkanen Wednesday, and said the stretch forward is still two to four weeks away from returning to the lineup.
Markkanen suffered a high-grade lateral right elbow sprain during training camp. He didn't require surgery, but did keep the elbow immobilized for about a month.
"Lauri is still 2-4 weeks out, he's starting to up his activity level, he's getting up the track now and doing some straight line running, last week it was just the treadmill or a bike. He's back in the weight room now, starting to add to his strength training." – Coach Hoiberg
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 31, 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. Markkanen 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 21-year-old sharpshooter made the All-Rookie first team and has become a fan favorite in Chicago. The Bulls desperately need Lauri Markkanen to return. His ability to stretch the floor with his shooting creates more driving lanes for LaVine, Jabari Parker and Kris Dunn, when the latter also gets healthy.
The Bulls are 2-5 on the young season. They host the Denver Nuggets Wednesday night at the United Center. Chicago is scoring 110.3 points per game, good for 18th in the NBA, and giving up 119.9, which puts them second-to-last place.
Lauri Markkanen could return around Thanksgiving.
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