The Bulls' hopes of extending their season just took a serious hit.
Ahead of Wednesday's Game 5 of a first-round series with the Bucks, All-Star guard Zach LaVine was placed in COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Zach LaVine has entered health and safety protocols, per Bulls PR
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) April 26, 2022
Here is what we know about LaVine's status moving forward.
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Will Zach LaVine play in Game 5 vs. the Bucks?
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, LaVine is expected to miss Game 5 as a result.
Zach LaVine is expected to miss Wednesday's Game 5 vs. Bucks in COVID-19 protocols, sources said. https://t.co/WDxP09qxCF
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 26, 2022
LaVine, who is a two-time All-Star in his eighth NBA season, made his NBA Playoff debut in 2022. Through the first four games of the series, he posted averages of 19.3 points, 6.0 assists and 5.3 rebounds per contest.
After stealing Game 2 on the road, the Bucks earned two dominant wins over the Bulls in Games 2 and 3. The Bulls, who face a 3-1 series deficit, will look to stave off elimination without LaVine.
During the regular season, LaVine was placed in the league's health and safety protocols from Dec. 12 to Dec. 23.
Who will play in Zach LaVine's absence?
With LaVine in health and safety protocols and Alex Caruso in concussion protocols, the Bulls could elect to go with a starting backcourt of rookie Ayo Dosunmu and third-year guard Coby White.
Both Dosunmu and White have averaged fewer than 17 minutes of playing time so far in this series, but White has provided a bit more of an offensive punch, averaging 6.3 points per game to Dosunmu's 3.0.
LaVine's 19.3 points per game in the series came on 15.8 shot attempts per game, meaning DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic and Patrick Williams will need to score more in addition to the reserve guards taking on an increased offensive role.
A potential Game 6 in this series would come on Friday, April 29 in Chicago.
