Bulls’ Zach LaVine enters COVID-19 health and safety protocols; guard expected to miss Game 5: Sources – The Athletic

Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine has entered COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the team said Tuesday. The Bulls trail their first-round playoff series against Milwaukee 3-1 with Game 5 set for Wednesday at Milwaukee. LaVine is expected to miss the game, sources told The Athletic. It’s the second time LaVine has been in protocols this season and third overall.

Chicago guard Alex Caruso is in concussion protocol and his status for the game is uncertain.

The Bucks have routed the Bulls in the last two games to take control of the series, even without All-Star Khris Middleton (knee). Milwaukee has dominated behind the play of MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo and the shooting of guard Grayson Allen.

LaVine is averaging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the series. The Bulls still have star DeMar DeRozan and former All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to lean on, but losing LaVine would take away one of Chicago’s primary scorers. If Caruso cannot play, the Bulls would also be without one of the league’s best defensive guards.

(Photo: Jeff Haynes / NBAE via Getty Images)