Here comes another huge blow for Team USA with the Tokyo Olympics just days away. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine has been placed under health and safety protocols.

Just a week ago, both Bradley Beal and Jerami Grant went into the protocols, and Beal was forced to miss the entirety of the Olympics. Then came the news of Kevin Love withdrawing from the Games, and Team USA named Keldon Johnson and JaVale McGee as replacements.

The loss of LaVine for any significant amount of time would be absolutely brutal, especially after Team USA struggled in their exhibition games and just finally found their footing. As Shams reported, Team USA “hopes” LaVine will be ready to join the team, but at this point, nobody has any idea if that is the case or not.

Related NewsArticle continues below
Air Jordan 1 Low Rare Air, Air Jordan, Michael Jordan
Air Jordan 1 Low ‘Rare Air’ release details
Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) brings the ball upcourt against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half at Spectrum Center.
Bulls’ Josh Giddey grabs attention with pick to win 2025 NBA Finals

The Bulls guard had a terrific season and was named to the Eastern Conference All-Star team and was doing some nice things during Team USA's exhibition games in Las Vegas.

The Tokyo Olympics begin on Friday, July 23, and this will be a developing story, with LaVine's return in the air. If he is ruled out for the entirety of the Olympics, Gregg Popovich and company will go right back to the drawing board and find a replacement.