Chicago Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen is expected to miss two-to-four weeks after an MRI confirmed his original diagnosis of a sprained right shoulder, the team announced.
Markkanen has a sprained right acromioclavicular (AC) joint, which is at the top of the shoulder.
Markkanen suffered the injury in the first quarter of the game against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 5 when he collided with Gary Clark on a drive to the basket.
He tried to play through it, but ultimately left the game for good in the third quarter.
The Bulls have dealt with multiple injuries, as Otto Porter Jr., Wendell Carter Jr. and Markkanen are all currently sidelined.
Markkanen, 23, is averaging 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from three-point.
Veteran forward Thaddeus Young has stepped up lately with other players out, averaging 13.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game in the last six games.
Rookie Patrick Williams will also be relied upon more in the frontcourt with the Bulls’ injuries.
