Zach LaVine Unavailable for Opener, Possible Season Debut Revealed

Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine will be unavailable for Wednesday night's season opener versus the Miami Heat due to left knee management, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Bulls All-Star Zach LaVine (left knee management) will miss tonight’s opener vs. Heat.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2022

In addition, LaVine may also miss Friday's contest versus the Washington Wizards, but could debut on Saturday's home opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Sources: Zach LaVine may also miss Friday's game vs. Wizards, with likelihood the two-time All-Star makes his season debut in Saturday's home opener vs. Cleveland. https://t.co/YdRRrgua5y
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 19, 2022

This is obviously not an encouraging start to the season for Bulls fans. Chicago is already missing its starting point guard Lonzo Ball, who is still recovering from a torn meniscus.

LaVine experienced knee issues midway through the 2021-22 season that forced him to miss time some time throughout the second half of the campaign. He underwent arthroscopic surgery in his left knee in May.