The Charlotte Hornets visit the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Bulls star Zach LaVine hasn't played since Nov. 28 with a right foot inflammation. However, LaVine will make his return against the Hornets while coming off the bench on a minutes restriction, according to the Bulls.

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Zach LaVine injury status vs. Hornets

There had been speculation over the last couple of days that Zach LaVine would indeed make his long-awaited return against the Hornets on Friday. LaVine spent some time practicing with the G League's Windy City Bulls and had no setbacks. LaVine was first upgraded to questionable, and now Bulls fans will see him back on the court after missing the last 17 games.

Chicago has played much better basketball in LaVine's absence compared to the last time he was on the floor. The Bulls went 10-7 in his absence, and the offense has looked crisper with more ball movement and better decision-making.

Nonetheless, the two-time All-Star's return should give the Bulls another dynamic scorer and creator who could put up 25 or more points on any given night. However, LaVine hasn't played like an All-Star this season. In 18 appearances so far, he is averaging just 21.0 points on 44.3 percent field goal shooting and 33.6 percent three-point shooting.

LaVine has been engulfed in trade rumors for much of the season with Chicago looking ready to kickstart a fire sale by the deadline. Several teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Sacramento Kings have been identified as potential landing spots for the Bulls star. With the trade deadline looming, LaVine could very well be entering the final stretch of his Bulls tenure.