The Chicago Bulls suffered another casualty after an MRI confirmed that forward Lauri Markkanen will miss two to four weeks with a shoulder injury.
The Bulls announced the injury Monday, saying Markkanen injured the joint in his upper shoulder during Saturday’s win over the Orlando Magic.
The 23-year-old Markkanen is averaging 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds, the best of his career, with 51.4% shooting in his fourth season. The 7-footer missed seven games earlier in the season due to NBA health and safety protocols.
The Bulls also don’t have center Wendell Carter Jr., who will be out for an extended period with a right quadriceps concussion, and forward Otto Porter Jr., who is out with a back injury.
“We have to get back to where we fell. Obviously, we’re missing two big keys to our offense and things like that,” Bulls forward Daniel Gafford said after shooting practice Monday. “But Lauri and Wendell, they’re pretty good guys and they already know things happen.”
“The guys that come after them, we have to step up and take their places for now until they come back and are fully recovered.”