Bulls hopeful Zach LaVine could return next week

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said that star Zach LaVine‘s sore left knee has been responding well to treatment and he continues to do on-court work, tweets K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Donovan added that there’s still no specific date the Bulls are targeting for LaVine’s return, but is “optimistic” it could occur next week.

An MRI last Saturday revealed no structural damage Lavine’s knee, but the Bulls are proceeding with caution with their star player after he’d played through soreness for a couple weeks. In 38 games, LaVine has averaged 24.9 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season, shooting 49% from the floor and 41% from deep.

LaVine’s strong play is a major reason why the Bulls are 28-15, tied with Miami for first place in the East. The Bulls have gone 1-2 in LaVine’s absence thus far (1-3 counting the game last Friday when he exited after just three minutes) and faced the defending champion Bucks Friday night.