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Eric WoodyardESPN
The Chicago Bulls were hit with another injury blow after an MRI confirmed that forward Lauri Markkanen will miss two to four weeks with a sprained shoulder.
The Bulls announced the injury Monday, saying that Markkanen has a sprained right acromioclavicular joint. He originally injured the joint at the top of the shoulder during Saturday’s victory over the Orlando Magic.
Markkanen, 23, is averaging a career-best 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds on 51.4% shooting in his fourth season. The 7-footer also missed seven games earlier in the season due to the NBA’s health and safety protocols.
The Bulls also are without center Wendell Carter Jr., who is out for an extended period with a right quadricep contusion, and forward Otto Porter Jr., who is out with a back injury.
“We’ve just got to pick up where we fell off. Obviously, we are missing two real big keys to our offense and certain things like that,” Bulls forward Daniel Gafford said after Monday’s shootaround. “But, Lauri and Wendell, they’re pretty good guys and they already know that stuff happens.
“Guys that are coming in behind them, we’ve just got to step up and take their spots for the time being until they get back and they’re fully recovered.”