By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Chicago Bulls coming off a solid offseason have been turning heads early in the 2021-22 NBA Regular Season. Zach LaVine, among the key parts of the 4-0 start, has been diagnosed with a small ligament tear in the thump of his non-shooting hand, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
LaVine, 26, underwent an MRI on his left thump on Tuesday, noted Bulls Insider K.C. Johnson. He appears to have been already fighting through the injury and intends to keep going without missing time.
The 2021 NBA All-Star joined the Chicago Bulls ahead of the 2017-18 season after three years at the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is up to 25.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per contest early in his fifth campaign at Windy City helping the franchise launch a 4-0 record to start a new Regular Season for the first time without Michael Jordan on the roster.
The former UCLA standout is determined to keep playing through the non-shooting hand injury. The 4-0 record paired with the overall attitude building at Chicago seemed to have influenced his intention since he looks capable of helping to extend the positive momentum. It would be considerably harder to play with a ligament tear in his shooting thumb.
LaVine was selected 13th overall in the 2014 NBA draft. He was named in the All-Rookie Second Team, and also was crowned Slam Dunk champion in 2015 and 2016. He was traded to the Bulls in 2017 in a deal including then draft pick Lauri Markkanen. The Finnish big himself moved from Chicago to the Cleveland Cavaliers in August.
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