Bulls' LaVine (foot) progressing very well, says Donovan - ESPN

PHILADELPHIA — Chicago Bulls coach Billy Donovan said All-Star guard Zach LaVine has a «realistic» chance of returning from a sore right foot within the next week, possibly as soon as Friday's home game against the Charlotte Hornets.

LaVine has missed the past 15 games with the injury.

«I don't know what the exact date's going to be, but the way he's progressing right now and the fact that he's in full-fledged contact, [it's] very, very positive,» Donovan said before Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

«I don't know what the medical [team], how much data they want to see in terms of game load kind of practices that he can handle. But everything that's been thrown at him in terms of the way he's progressed, he's handled really, really well.»

LaVine remained in Chicago for the Bulls' trip to Philadelphia and then New York, where they face the Knicks on Wednesday. Donovan said LaVine had no setbacks during workouts with Chicago's G League franchise, the Windy City Bulls, the last two days. He's expected to have another workout with them Wednesday.

«Positive [progress],» Donovan said. «Very, very good. So far, he practiced with those guys yesterday and then again today and all the reports I got is that it went very, very well. He responded well coming back in this morning, and we'll see how he responds tomorrow. But with the schedule of Windy City and them being in town and able to practice, it's good… with our schedule, it's hard to get him actual live right reps and playing against live bodies. So this has been good for him to be back there.»

Before the injury, LaVine was averaging 21 points per game and shooting 44.3 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from 3-point range. Those are his worst numbers