Report: LaVine plans to return from 11-game absence Thursday vs. Hornets

With the Chicago Bulls on the ropes, All-Star guard Zach LaVine intends to play versus the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday after missing the past 11 games due to health and safety protocols, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

LaVine has averaged career bests of 27.5 points, 5.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game in 2020-21 - though he's also coughed up 3.6 turnovers per game, placing him in the 16th percentile in turnover rate, according to Cleaning the Glass.

The Bulls are 4-7 without their leading scorer dating back to April 16, dropping the onetime playoff hopefuls to 26-39 (.400) overall and just 12th in the Eastern Conference standings.

With just seven games remaining on their regular-season slate, Chicago faces the tall task of making up a four-game gap behind the 10th-seeded Washington Wizards, who are currently on track for the fourth and final spot in this year's new play-in tournament format.

Upcoming Bulls schedule