LaVine says knee is good to go for All-Star, rest of season
Zach LaVine is planning to play in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game and thinks he is ready for the rest of the regular season.
LaVine sat out the final three games before the break due to a sore left knee, and went to Los Angeles to get checked out by a specialist. He was back on the Bulls' bench for Wednesday's win over Sacramento and held his all-star availability Saturday afternoon in Cleveland.
"I just wanted to go out there and make sure everything was good," he told reporters. "I've been obviously battling the knee soreness for a little bit, not playing at 100 percent. I just want to continue to go out there and help us win. The last three games, I just 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."
LaVine said he got PRP (platelet-rich plasma) and cortisone injections in L.A., and had some swelling drained from the knee. He sat out five games in January after feeling pain in the Golden State game on Jan. 14.
"It's very manageable. I'm here now, I'm healthy, I feel great," he said. "I feel a lot better than I did before and I'm ready to get going."
LaVine also suggested he might get further treatment in the summer, whether that's arthroscopic surgery or more rehab. For the rest of the season, he said he'll take it day-to-day as far as needing time off.
"It will get me through the end of the season and then in the offseason I'll be able to take care of it, try to get myself 100%," he said. "This season is important enough to me personally. I'll be able to go out there and do what I have to do still.
"This season has been incredible for me obviously for many reasons. I hate missing games personally. I just don't like it. I try to play through as much as I can."
LaVine was asked what he would say to anyone who suggests he shouldn't play in the All-Star Game because of the injury.
"That's their opinion," he said. "This All-Star Game means a lot to a lot of us. We put in a lot of hard work and dedication to this. If I'm healthy to play, I'm going to play. It means a lot to me."
Bulls eye Thompson:
Both Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan commented on veteran big man Tristan Thompson, who was released by Indiana on Thursday and is expected to join the Bulls after the all-star break.
LaVine praised the Bulls management team of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley for continuing to build the roster. Forward Alfonzo McKinnie is expected to be released to clear a roster spot.
"It's great. I've talked to him (Thompson)." LaVine said Saturday. "I think he's going to bring a lot, another experienced guy, championship-level guy that's been in these games before where he can help us in these situations.
"AK and Marc, they're going for it. Obviously, they trust in me, they trust in DeMar, they trust in this group and it just means a lot going into the last year of my contract that they're putting a team around us that can compete."
DeRozan talked about Thompson after Wednesday's game against Sacramento, shortly after Pacers coach Rick Carlisle broke the news in his postgame news conference.
"Known Tristan for years, great dude," DeRozan said. "Obviously I competed with him in the Cleveland days when I was with Toronto. Championship experience, good friend of mine, got the utmost respect for him off the court and obviously we all know what he brings on the court.
"I think this will be a great addition for us, what he's able to bring, veteran leadership, understanding what it takes to win a championship."
Ayo hurts thumb:
Bulls rookie Ayo Dosunmu sat down for his postgame media availability after the Rising Star challenge and mentioned he needs to see a trainer. He hurt his right thumb during the contest. No cause for concern yet, but something to watch.
"I tried to take out a block and I hit it on the rim, it bent back," he said.
Dosunmu scored 5 points in Team Payton's semifinal loss.
"Yeah, it was fun to get out there and play, had fun definitely," he said. "I think we should have taken it a little more serious early on."
• Twitter: @McGrawDHSports