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Chicago Bulls’ All-Star Zach LaVine says he is feeling way better after missing his side’s past three games to undergo specialist treatment on a knee issue which has been hampering him all season.
LaVine, who will lace up in Sunday’s All-Star Game, travelled to Los Angeles last week to have platelet-rich plasma therapy, a cortisone injection and fluid drained from his left knee.
The 26-year-old, who tore the ACL in his left knee in 2017, has missed five games in January due to knee swelling.
LaVine has played 47 of the Bulls’ 59 games this season, averaging 24.6 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
“I wanted to go out there and make sure everything was good,” LaVine said after Team Durant practice on Saturday. “I’ve been battling the knee soreness for a little bit, not playing at 100 per cent.
“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.”
The Bulls are firmly in contention for a deep playoffs run, sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a 38-21 record.
LaVine indicated he would likely look into offseason surgery on the knee but wanted to commit to this campaign given the Bulls’ position.
“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.”
