Zach LaVine greeted the media with a wide grin in his first interaction since undergoing season-ending surgery on his right ankle on February 5. The Chicago Bulls’ guard shared updates on his recovery progress, shedding light on when he expects to ditch the boot and his anticipated comeback timeline.
“I’m feeling really positive,” LaVine expressed on Saturday afternoon. “I’ll be getting the boot off soon. I’ve been diligent with my rehab, ensuring everything’s on track. It’s a waiting game for the tendon to heal, but after that, it’s straight into rehab. My legs feel strong, body’s in good shape. Plus, gearing up for the arrival of my child; we’re all ecstatic.”
“In about three weeks, the boot comes off, and then it’s up to [the doctor] to assess the next steps. Initially, the recovery was set for three, four months, but I’m slightly ahead of schedule, so fingers crossed it continues that way.”
Turning 29 on Sunday, LaVine mentioned that being ahead of schedule allowed him to transition from a cast to a boot without much discomfort.
The seasoned player expressed confidence in his recovery process, assuring he’d be ready to hit the ground running next season. “Oh, absolutely, I’ll be good to go long before that,” LaVine asserted. “Once the boot’s off, I’ll be raring to get back out there.”
Before being sidelined, LaVine had already sat out 24 games due to foot, shoulder, and ankle issues. His return in January showcased a different player, averaging impressive stats during his seven-game comeback.
In a noteworthy win against the Toronto Raptors on January 18, LaVine sustained the ankle injury, leading to the announcement of his week-long absence shortly after.
Opting for surgery wasn’t an easy decision, LaVine admitted, emphasizing it as the best course of action. “It was tough,” he recounted. “I explored every possible alternative — nobody wants surgery. But after consulting with the doctor, it became clear this wasn’t going to heal by itself. It was a floating bone, a non-union joint fracture I’d been grappling with for some time… The doctor advised sooner rather than later.”
As Chicago stands at 31-32, ranking ninth in the Eastern Conference, LaVine’s absence looms large, but his determination and progress offer hope for the team’s future.
