NBA Rumor: Lauri Markkanen Injury
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Marla Ridenour: #Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff was unsure whether F Lauri Markkanen (sore right ankle) will play tonight at Chicago. Bickerstaff said Friday night at Miami Markkanen aggravated the ankle, initially sprained in January, that kept him out for 11 games.
Lauri Markkanen could return tomorrow
Kelsey Russo: #Cavs Collin Sexton is here in Atlanta, and he did some light shooting on the court. He was raising the left leg when he shoots. Then in the foreground Lauri Markkanen is also doing some work. He is out tonight with the ankle sprain
Kelsey Russo: From today’s practice, #Cavs J.B. Bickerstaff said Lauri Markkanen was able to practice some today. But he does not know if Markkanen will play in tomorrow’s game against the Hawks, the final game before the All-Star break for Cleveland.
Lauri Markkanen to miss significant time?
The Cavs have their own injury concerns, especially with Lauri Markkanen suffering what sources believe is a high ankle sprain against the Thunder. Sources say X-rays taken were negative. But the organization is preparing to be without him for a while.
Cleveland Cavaliers starting small forward Lauri Markkanen suffered a sprained right ankle in the first half of Saturday night’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game. Sources tell cleveland.com that X-rays taken on his ankle were negative. The sense is Markkanen has a high ankle sprain.
Eventually, he was assisted to the locker room by Cedi Osman and Dean Wade. Markkanen wasn’t able to put much weight on his leg and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game with a sprained ankle. A source tells cleveland.com that the Cavs did not examine Markkanen’s knee or Achilles.
Lauri Markkanen leaves game with ankle injury
Kelsey Russo: #Cavs Lauri Markkanen (right ankle sprain) will not return tonight.
Kelsey Russo: #Cavs Lauri Markkanen went down on the court, with the entire team surrounding him. Cedi Osman and Dean Wade are helping him off the floor at the moment, heading back to the locker room.
Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen progressing towards playing on Monday
Kelsey Russo: J.B. Bickerstaff said that both Lauri Markkanen and Jarrett Allen were able to practice today. “They’re progressing,” Bickerstaff said of those two. “It’s always how you recover the next day and how you respond. My expectations are that they’ll play Monday, but you never know.”
Lauri Markkanen highly unlikely to return before All-Star break
Lauri Markkanen not concerned with impending free agency with regards to latest injury
Lauri Markkanen out at least two weeks
Shams Charania: Bulls‘ Lauri Markkanen will miss 2-to-4 weeks with a right shoulder sprain.
Darnell Mayberry: Bulls coach Billy Donovan confirms Lauri Markkanen is “unlikely” to play Saturday at Orlando. Markkanen exited Friday’s loss against the Magic with what the team announced as a right shoulder sprain.
“I’m definitely feeling a lot better,” Carter said as the freshmen and sophomores prepared for practice. Continuously doing therapy. I want to be back the next game. That’s what I’m shooting for right now. I don’t know if that’s going to happen; that’s definitely what I’m shooting for.” The Bulls are hoping that Carter as well as Otto Porter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen will return to play during the next week or two and the Bulls can take a shot and make one final push for that long discussed playoff goal for this season. Carter still believes it’s possible despite the season of setbacks and disappointments. Plus, Carter said after a shaky start he’s on board with coach Jim Boylen.
Mike McGraw: Markkanen said he started to feel the hip pain about a week to 10 days ago, thought it was something he could have played through and was surprised by the diagnosis. But he said after talking to doctors, he agreed sitting out was best option. #Bulls
KC Johnson: Here’s another sign that this Markkanen move is largely precautionary: Told that if this were playoffs, he’d be playing. And as recently as this morning, Markkanen insisted he could play tonight. One benefit: This rest will give time for his ankle to heal.
Lauri Markkanen out for around a month
Shams Charania: Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen will miss 4-to-6 weeks with stress reaction of his right pelvis.
KC Johnson: Initial examination shows Lauri Markkanen suffered sprained left ankle, per source. Bulls at Mavericks Monday. Markkanen’s playing status updated later today.
Mike McGraw: Markkanen practiced today, should be able to play Sun at Indiana. Might be sore after leaving last night’s game early with an injury to his side, Boylen said. #Bulls
Lauri Markkanen cleared to resume basketball activities
Darnell Mayberry: Bulls announce Lauri Markkanen has been cleared to resume full basketball related activities after completing thorough examinations from cardiologists at both Rush University Medical Center and Johns Hopkins University.
KC Johnson: Markkanen said he will practice some and travel with team as if he’s “regular NBA player,” wearing heart monitor to give Bulls medical staff additional info.
KC Johnson: Jim Boylen said Lauri Markkanen was expressing desire to play last night as late as 2 pm Weds. Markkanen told people he planned individual workout on day off today. Point is: Markkanen is upbeat after initial battery of tests. Bulls will continue to monitor/additional testing.
Shams Charania: Bulls say precautionary tests on Markkanen have been normal after “an episode of a rapid heart rate and fatigue” on Tuesday night, and he will have additional testing in next 10-14 days. Markkanen had a strong second season, averaging 18 points and nine rebounds.
Lauri Markkanen has been undergoing a series of tests to determine the cause of an episode of a rapid heart rate and fatigue during the game in Toronto on March 26. At this point all testing has been normal, but as a precaution, the medical team has recommended additional testing over the next 10-14 days. Markkanen will not return for the remainder of the season.
“The long-term health of our players is always our organization’s top priority,” said John Paxson, Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. “We will continue to monitor Lauri’s condition and work with our medical staff and doctors to provide him with everything he may need.”
Darnell Mayberry: Update on Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen, who will miss tonight’s game against Portland. pic.twitter.com/gJuDcy01qw
KC Johnson: Lauri Markkanen: “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time. I’m just excited to get back out there.”
KC Johnson: Markkanen: “I’m not worried about my shot.”
KC Johnson: Look for Markkanen’s minutes to be “somewhere in the 20s,” per Hoiberg.
KC Johnson: One more from Lauri Markkanen, on his elbow: “I feel good. I’ve got a couple practices in and no pain, so that’s a good sign. There’s been nothing the next day after practice. I’ve been playing normally. So that’s good.”
KC Johnson: Lauri Markkanen: “I’m really excited. The elbow feels pretty good.”
Mike McGraw: Lauri Markkanen says the elbow is a little stiff, takes a while to warm up, but it feels good; doesn’t bother him to shoot long-range. His return? “Hopefully soon.” #Bulls pic.twitter.com/qWzqzXK2wg
Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen is moving closer to his season debut after spraining his right elbow in September. Markkanen has been cleared to “fully participate in practice” on Tuesday, coach Fred Hoiberg said. If that goes well, a timeline for Markkanen’s return could come into focus.
Mike McGraw: Hoiberg says Markkanen is planning to do some contact tomorrow, hoping he’ll be ready for full practice shortly after. Said Dunn & Portis ran at 80% #Bulls
Bulls injury update per Fred Hoiberg: Lauri Markkanen is shooting from deeper range, but is still 1-2 weeks away from playing with contact. Hoiberg says they will likely utilize the Windy City Bulls — the G League affiliate — to help get him back into game shape. Denzel Valentine’s time frame is still “up in the air.”
The original timetable called for Markkanen to miss six to eight weeks, but Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg bumped that back to eight to 10 weeks before the game against the Mavericks. The Bulls want to make sure Markkanen is pain-free and fully conditioned for the grind of the regular-season schedule when he returns. ‘‘He’s still not shooting a lot,’’ Hoiberg said. ‘‘He’s shooting short-range shots. He’s getting really good conditioning workouts in, so when he is cleared to start shooting and has no pain in that type of activity, hopefully he can get back soon as far as when he’s cleared for contact. He’s doing as much as he can right now.’’
Joe Cowley: According to Hoiberg, Markkanen (right elbow) is at least another two weeks from being cleared for contact, and then likely another two weeks to make sure there are no setbacks. Late November, might now be mid to late December before his return.
“Lauri had a good day as far as conditioning,’’ Hoiberg said. “Did more than he has. Denzel did some straight-ahead running and spot shooting, still has not cut on ankle. We’ll try to get Lauri in game shape as quickly as possible.’’
Malika Andrews: Lauri Markkanen is walking around without a brace. Fred Hoiberg says he is looking at the same timetable for a return but seeing him without a brace is a “relief.”
Darnell Mayberry: Lauri Markkanen on his injury.
KC Johnson: Something else of note as Bulls practice/media access nears this AM: By all accounts, Markkanen had played like a monster in informal Sept. workouts and first 2 days of camp.
Vincent Goodwill: Lauri Markkanen out 6-8 weeks with a high grade lateral elbow sprain (right). Sustained the injury Thursday. Big blow to the Bulls
Vincent Goodwill: Kris Dunn will be out tomorrow, along with Lauri Markkanen. Zach LaVine will be a game time decision with tendinitis. Skeleton crew against Cavs, perhaps
KC Johnson: Lauri Markkanen late scratch with lower back spasms. Noah Vonleh will start.
Nick Friedell: Fred Hoiberg says Lauri Markkanen (back) will play tonight vs. Sixers. He will not be on a minutes restriction but Bulls will watch him closely.
May 29, 2022 | 4:16 am EDT Update

I think everyone knows they kind of have to trade Russell Westbrook, that is partially why they are now entertaining keeping him. I do think, from what I’ve heard, there’s a segment within the franchise that does believe Russ could be utilized better, that this could work that they could, you know, with the right head coach with the right supporting cast, they can figure that out.

“I think the biggest thing I learned is that the League, the media, nobody will care until you’re winning,” he tells SLAM. “I could feel bad for myself all I want about [how] people didn’t respect or appreciate the season I had, or anything, but I didn’t win a lot of games. So, I think that’s been the biggest thing that I’ve locked in on and I decided within. I have to win games if I want people to respect my name, and if not, then I can’t be mad at people not watching enough games and how I really play. That’s the challenge that I’ve tried to take on. I’ve talked to teammates [and] we’re all trying to take that challenge on. I think that’s the next step for us.”
Tony Jones: The Utah Jazz will work out BYU small forward Gideon George on Sunday morning, I’m told…..
The Orlando Magic have hosted G League Ignite prospect and Filipino National Team center Kai Sotto for a pre-draft workout. Sotto was one of the first prospects to sign with the G League straight out of high school and was projected to join Jalen Green and Jonathan Kuminga among others in the 2021 G League bubble. However, after committing to the Philippines national team, he was unable to play for the team.
Patrick Baldwin Jr.: I plan on staying in. I think the feedback I’ve been getting is pretty good. Typically, a lot of the teams haven’t even mentioned the testing as a factor for me. A lot of what I do is shooting, spacing the floor, making the correct play and being a heady basketball player. That’s something I’ll bank on going into this process. I’ve gotten some pretty good feedback so far.

The news of Ham’s hiring — which still hasn’t been announced by the Lakers — has been met with endorsements from those who crossed paths with Ham during his career: former coaches, teammates and colleagues lauding the Lakers for handing things over to a first-time coach. “He’s going to be honest as a coach of the Lakers, which is what I think you need in the NBA today — somebody that’s going to be honest but know how to be honest without actually just tearing you down,” former teammate Chauncey Billups, now the coach in Portland said Saturday. “What can you say? He’s won as a player. He’s won as a coach. I mean, this dude is more than qualified for the task at hand. I’m so happy and proud of him. I spoke to him last night and he was so excited.”
Years later, Billups experienced the same things with Ham as a teammate with the Pistons, one of Ham’s six NBA homes. “I’m sure if you talked to the guys that he played with, he was probably their favorite-teammate type dude. He was always so competitive,” Billups said. “He brought the heat to practice every day. Every time he got in the game, he just raised the level of play. He’s the man. Not one person would say anything bad about him. “He’s that guy.”