CHICAGO _ Lauri Markkanen's comedic chops remain intact. So there's that.
Addressing reporters for the first time since the Bulls revealed he is done for the season because of fatigue and a rapid heart rate incident, Markkanen didn't miss a beat when asked how he's feeling.
"Great," he said enthusiastically. "How about yourself?"
Markkanen worked out Friday while wearing a heart monitor, which the Bulls are using to gather additional information after their initial battery of tests and examinations checked out normal.
"I'm better," Markkanen said. "I'm not worried."
In fact, Markkanen said he planned to participate in the non-contact portions of practice and travel with the team over the season's final 13 days to act as if he's playing. He just won't play in actual games.
"We're trying to act like I'm living the normal NBA life and they're going to see how I react to that," Markkanen said. "I feel fine right now."
Markkanen stayed overnight Tuesday in Toronto after missing the second half of the loss to the Raptors. It's the second time this month Markkanen has experienced a rapid heart rate, although he clarified Friday the first experience that occurred during the four-overtime victory in Atlanta on March 1.
"That was really more flu-like symptoms. I felt pretty weak and kind of had a sore throat and really exhausted. So I thought, 'I'm just sick,' " Markkanen said. "I wouldn't think that those are related.
"In Toronto, I just felt kind of when you're running and you feel you're exhausted. It felt like I was at the end of a workout just a couple minutes in. It wasn't scary but felt pretty weird. Hopefully this was a one-time deal."
Markkanen missed the first 23 games to a severe right elbow injury he suffered the first week of training camp. After playing in 68 games his rookie season, he managed just 52 this season.
"Last year was more of a problem because I missed two games, then I'd play 10 and miss another two," Markkanen said of dealing with various nagging injuries. "That was kind of frustrating. It's just total accident what happened to my elbow in September. I took a lot of pride, even if I had something small, just playing through it and not missing any more games. I know health is the most important. So I'm just frustrated that I can't play, but it is what it is."
Coach Jim Boylen said Markkanen was in "great spirits" when he entered the Advocate Center.
"I told our staff I thought he was bright-eyed and bushy-tailed," Boylen said. "I thought he looked good. He was anxious to get going. That's the Lauri we are used to. I haven't sensed any fear in his eyes or body language. He'll go through this process and hopefully he'll come out (with) no issues."
