According to HC Donovan, Zach LaVine is still recovering and is in good spirits

Zach's upcoming return is still in the works, as the Bulls star maintains a positive attitude while undergoing rehabilitation.

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As the Chicago Bulls conducted a team practice on Wednesday, head coach Billy Donovan provided much-needed news about the ongoing recovery of Zach LaVine.

Today marked the third week that Zach resides on the team's recovery list with his foot issues. The star guard has been doing light shooting and some running in his initial rehabbing, which coach Donovan revealed a good progress so far.

"I think there’s going to be a steady increase on what he’s doing," Donovan said. "Everything up to this point that he’s had to go through, he’s done a great job and the medical guys have done a great job. It feels like he’s progressing at the right state.”

Timetable TBD, but still a good work in progress

Donovan pointed out from the previous weeks that LaVine could be back at some point in January. But for now, this timetable of return is blurry.

Since his foot injury, Zach is required to fulfill other requirements to get back on the court. He needs to regain his normal conditioning and even make significant progress in his contact and lateral practices.

Now, LaVine began his light-cutting sessions for the next step of his recovery plan.

Zach LaVine started cutting yesterday. Straight-ahead running here. pic.twitter.com/iaZmyJtRFG

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 27, 2023

"Even if he passes that part of it---and I’m not sure how many days of cutting it will be---it’s going to be more loads and more intensity," Donovan said. "A lot of it for him right now is going to be structured, where it’s ‘cut here and cut here.’ The next step after that would be to have him start randomly cutting and moving without it being a directional workout.”

In good spirits

Amid the outside noise that binds their uncertain future, the Bulls stick their commitment first towards Lavine's health and impending return to the hardwood.

As such, Donovan assured that Zach has been in good spirits as he continues the healing grind for the Bulls' endeavors this year.

"I think he’s a lot happier now because at least he can get on the court and run and he can do some shooting and workout," Donovan said. "That’s probably the most frustrating part. These guys are so wired and trained to work out and work on their shooting, work on their game all the time. When that gets taken away from you for a period of time, you want to get back in the gym and start working out.

"He understands there has to be a process that he has to go through to keep ramping up. But he’s been in good spirits.”

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