CLEVELAND — Chicago Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine said he had platelet-rich plasma therapy, a cortisone injection and fluid drained from his ailing left knee last week and is hoping the treatment will help him get through the season.
LaVine missed the past three games before the All-Star Break to see specialists in Los Angeles, but will play in Sunday’s All-Star Game. He previously missed five games in January with knee swelling and soreness but an MRI showed no structural damage.
“I wanted to go out there and make sure everything was good,” LaVine said after Team Durant practice Saturday. “I’ve been battling the knee soreness for a little bit, not playing at 100 percent, but I want to continue to go out there and try to help us win. So the last three games I had to really just take it upon myself to make sure I was OK for the second half of the season. I feel way better.”
LaVine tore the ACL in the same knee in 2017 and with the Bulls hoping for a long playoff push, he said he was trying to be cautious. He indicated he might need to seek further treatment on the injury this summer.
“It will get me through the end of the season, and in the offseason I’ll be able to take care of it and try to get myself 100 percent,” LaVine said. “The season is important enough for me personally, I’ll be able to go out there and play and do what I have to do still.”
LaVine will be a free agent this summer, heightening the sensitivity of the situation and balancing current situation with future.
“I take it each day at a time,” LaVine said. “This season has been incredible for me, obviously, for many reasons, but I hate missing games personally. I just don’t like it. I try to play through as much as I can, and if I’m able to still be myself and contribute at the high level where I expect myself to, I’m going to do that.”