Bulls' Markkanen out 2-4 weeks with shoulder sprain

Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen is expected to be out for the next two-to-four weeks due to a right shoulder sprain, the team announced Monday.

Markkanen suffered the injury during the first quarter of the Bulls' loss to the Orlando Magic on Feb. 5. He tried to play through the sprain but was forced to exit the contest in the second half. Markkanen, 23, then sat out Chicago's rematch against the Magic on Feb. 6.

The former lottery pick is now set to miss significant time for the fourth straight season due to injury. He missed 14 games as a rookie, 30 contests in his sophomore campaign, and 15 games during the 2019-20 season.

Markkanen will become a restricted free agent this offseason. Chicago didn't offer him a rookie-scale extension prior to the Dec. 21 deadline.

The floor-spacing big man has been a steady offensive presence when healthy. Markkanen is averaging a career-best 19.1 points per game and shooting 39.6% from long range through 14 appearances this season.