Before their recent losses to the Brooklyn Nets and a particularly tough one to the Utah Jazz, the NBA’s lowest-ranked team, the Chicago Bulls had held an above .500 record for the first time in two years.
This early-season “success” is largely credited to Zach LaVine, who has returned to form after recovering from foot surgery that limited him to 25 games last season. The two-time All-Star currently leads Chicago with an average of 22.7 points per game in the 2024–25 season, shooting 45.8 percent from three and 49.5 percent from the field on eight attempts per game.
LaVine continues to be the Bulls’ most used player and highlighted offensive option, even though other players—most notably Coby White and Nikola Vucevic—have occasionally taken the scoring burden.
Chicago will need to travel to play the Dallas Mavericks, the Western Conference champions from the previous season, if it wants to start winning again. Is LaVine going to be available?
Injury status of Zach LaVine against the Mavericks
LaVine had a thigh injury in the Bulls’ defeat to Brooklyn and missed the team’s loss to the Jazz, which is why he is still listed as questionable on the injury report prior to tip-off.
Despite being listed as injured, Josh Giddey and Patrick Williams, two of Chicago’s other starters, are anticipated to participate. The same goes for Jalen Smith, the backup center.
Due to an injury to his right wrist, Lonzo Ball is still sidelined.
However, the Bulls aren’t bringing one of the league’s top teams to Dallas at full strength because the Mavericks are battling their own issues.
Complete injury report for the Dallas Mavericks vs. Chicago Bulls game
The following is the full injury report for the game tonight:
Chicago Bulls: Lonzo Ball is out due to wrist injury.
Zach LaVine (thigh) is dubious.
Most likely: Josh Giddey (sickness); Jalen Smith (knee); Patrick Williams (shoulder)
Dallas Mavericks: Dante Exum (right wrist surgery); PJ Washington (knee sprain); Maxi Kleber (hamstring) are out.
Dereck Lively II (shoulder) is dubious.
