(670 The Score) The Bulls are getting a star back against the Thunder on Monday evening but resting another one.
Guard Zach LaVine will return from a five-game absence after dealing with a left knee injury, while forward DeMar DeRozan will have a rest night, coach Billy Donovan said. Additionally, forward Javonte Green will return from a groin injury that has kept him out since Dec. 31. He was the Bulls' starting power forward when he went down with his injury.
Green will be on a restriction of 22-25 minutes, Donovan said. Donovan indicated LaVine isn’t expected to carry his normal workload – he’s averaging 34.0 minutes per game – but he’s in line to play more than 25 minutes. LaVine exited early in the Bulls’ loss to the Warriors on Jan. 14 with knee discomfort after landing awkwardly on a rebound. An MRI revealed he didn’t have significant structural damage, but he sat out while dealing with soreness.
This marks the first time the 32-year-old DeRozan will rest for a game this season. He had previously missed three games while in health and safety protocols. DeRozan is averaging 26.3 points per game and had 41 in Chicago’s loss at Orlando on Sunday. He played 38 minutes Friday and Sunday.
“You guys had asked me a lot about this – just with the stretch we’ve had with these makeup games, there’s been so many games condensed, that there would be conversations that we’d have,” Donovan said. “I just think with DeMar, just physically just where he’s at, he needs a break here. So he’ll be out tonight.”
Bulls center Nikola Vucevic is also a game-time decision Monday after suffering a left knee contusion Sunday. He has swelling and soreness in the knee, so his availability will depend on his how knee responds in warmups, Donovan said. The Bulls-Thunder game can be heard on 670 The Score, with pregame set for 6:45 p.m.
Additionally, Bulls guard Alex Caruso underwent right wrist surgery Monday morning. The procedure went well and as expected, Donovan said. The team plans to re-evaluate Caruso in six to eight weeks.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.