Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) may rest a little as the postseason approaches. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine 'likely to be out' Tuesday vs. Bucks

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Apr 5, 2022 4:13 PM ET

A five-year postseason drought is about to end for the Chicago Bulls, as the top-10 finishers in the Eastern Conference have been determined. In the final days of the regular season though, the standings and seeding scenarios are still in serious disarray.

With a victory over the Milwaukee Bucks or a loss by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday, Chicago will clinch a top-six seed and, therefore, avoid the play-in tournament. However, the Bulls will probably take on the Bucks without second-leading scorer Zach LaVine.

LaVine didn't practice yesterday, which coach Billy Donovan said then was a precaution to manage the knee injury.

LaVine was downgraded from probable to questionable on the injury report earlier. Bulls are on the front end of a MIL/BOS back-to-back https://t.co/JwLvqczdtq
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) April 5, 2022

The Bulls have struggled over the second half of the season. They have gone just 19-23 since a victory over the Washington Wizards put them at 26-10 on Jan. 9. Perhaps uncoincidentally, starting point guard Lonzo Ball has been out since mid-January due to a meniscus tear, though it was reported last week that the former No. 2 overall pick was "ramping up for a possible postseason return."

An All-Star in each of the last two seasons, LaVine is currently second on the team in points (24.7) and minutes per game (34.9), third in assists per contest (4.5), and has posted a .477/.393/.851 shooting line.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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