Before a loss to the Brooklyn Nets and a particularly excruciating defeat at the hands of the NBA's worst team, the Utah Jazz, the Chicago Bulls had a record above .500 for the first time in two years.
A large part of that early season "success" has come on the back of a healthy and returned-to-form Zach LaVine.
The two-time All-Star only played 25 games last season after undergoing foot surgery but is Chicago's leading scorer at 22.7 points per game in 2024-25. He's shooting 49.5 percent from the field and 45.8 percent from three on eight attempts per game.
Other players, most notably Coby White and Nikola Vucevic, have carried the scoring load at times, but LaVine remains the Bulls' highest-usage player and featured offensive option.
If Chicago hopes to get back in the win column, it will have to come on the road at last year's Western Conference Champion Dallas Mavericks. Will LaVine be available?
Zach LaVine's injury status vs. Mavericks
Leading up to tip-off, LaVine is still listed as questionable on the Bulls' injury report after suffering a thigh injury in the loss to Brooklyn and subsequently missing the loss to the Jazz.
Two of Chicago's other starters - Josh Giddey and Patrick Williams - are also on the injury report but are expected to play. Ditto for backup center Jalen Smith.
Lonzo Ball remains out with a right wrist ailment.
The Mavericks are dealing with their own maladies, though, so the Bulls aren't heading into Dallas with one of the league's best teams at full strength.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls at Dallas Mavericks
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls:
Out: Lonzo Ball (wrist)
Questionable: Zach LaVine (thigh)
Probable: Patrick Williams (shoulder); Jalen Smith (knee); Josh Giddey (illness)
Dallas Mavericks:
Out: Maxi Kleber (hamstring); PJ Washington (knee sprain); Dante Exum (right wrist surgery)
Questionable: Dereck Lively II (shoulder)
