Bulls hope to resume activities, host Lakers Sunday after COVID-19 pause

The Chicago Bulls had two games postponed by the NBA Monday after 10 players, total, had entered the league's health and safety protocols related to COVID-19. 

Chicago head coach Billy Donovan offered a positive update on the situation Thursday. 

According to Jamal Collier of ESPN, Donovan explained he hopes to resume team activities either Friday or Saturday and, thus, be ready to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday evening.

"We haven't been able to do anything at all," Donovan told reporters via a Zoom conference call. "Right when [the games were postponed], the league came out with some protocols that we needed to follow. In terms of the activities of being able to come in here, get together as a team, work out as a team, do those kinds of things, we haven't been able to do anything. ... I'm hopeful the league will give us some time here, Friday and Saturday, to get the group back together that would be available to play on Sunday."

Coby White and Javonte Green tested positive for the virus earlier this month but have cleared protocols, taken part in individual workouts at the team facility and should be able to play against the Lakers. DeMar DeRozan, Derrick Jones Jr. and Matt Thomas should clear protocols by Sunday but haven't yet received the necessary nods to return to competitive action. 

Donovan hopes to have a minimum of 10 players available for Sunday's matchup. However, Zach LaVine, Ayo Dosunmu, Troy Brown Jr., and Alize Johnson all tested positive more recently and will be sidelined until some point after Christmas. 

The Bulls were considered fully vaccinated early last month, and Donovan said some players have received booster shots. It's believed the NBA and National Basketball Players Association could soon agree to enhanced protocols to combat COVID-19 surges linked with the Omicron variant.