Report: Bulls' LaVine sidelined due to health and safety protocols

Chicago Bulls All-Star guard Zach LaVine will be sidelined for several games after entering the NBA's health and safety protocols, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The team has yet to officially update LaVine's status, though the Daily Herald's Mike McGraw reports the Bulls were forced to cancel practice on Thursday.

LaVine's expected absence comes at an inopportune time for a Bulls club that dropped its fourth consecutive game on Wednesday, losing at home against the Orlando Magic.

The Bulls are now 10th in the Eastern Conference with a tenuous one-game lead on the Toronto Raptors for the final playoff play-in spot.

LaVine, who was selected to his first All-Star Game earlier this season, is averaging a career-best 27.5 points per contest while shooting better than 50% from the field for the first time in his seven-year career.

The 22-32 Bulls are scheduled to play next on Friday at home against the Memphis Grizzlies.