HOUSTON_The Chicago Bulls were two games better than last season's record when a certain tough-to-match-up-with power forward returned after missing 23 games.
A 121-105 loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday night at the Toyota Center automatically prevents history from repeating itself because Nikola Mirotic last season sparked an unexpected seven-game winning streak and 10-2 mark when he returned from facial fractures with the Bulls mired at 3-20.
But Lauri Markkanen's unexpected return from his right elbow injury, which should be followed in the next week or two by Kris Dunn and Bobby Portis, injects a jolt of energy into a moribund season plagued by widespread injury.
They need it. The Bulls (5-19) have lost six straight and 10 of 11.
Markkanen came off the bench for the first time as a Bull and scored 10 points in 25 minutes in his season debut, making 4 of 14 shots, including 2 of 6 3-pointers, with four rebounds.
"I've been waiting for a long time, so I'm just happy this day is here," he said.
James Harden's 30 points led the Rockets. Zach LaVine's 29 led the Bulls, while Jabari Parker posted his fourth double-double in seven games with 21 points and 12 rebounds.
After missing 18 of 21 3-pointers on Friday in Detroit, the Bulls shot just 8-for-32 from that distance. Justin Holiday extended his franchise-record streak with at least one 3-pointer to 35 games but missed seven of eight.
The Bulls had discussed internally a Markkanen return Tuesday at the Indiana Pacers. And coach Fred Hoiberg said last week that Markkanen would need "at least a week" of work after being cleared for contact. But Markkanen underwent two contact practices and multiple individual workouts without issue.
So the Bulls decided to play him against the Rockets, nine weeks and two days since he badly sprained his right elbow on the third day of training camp. Markkanen's return fell outside the initial estimated timeline of six to eight weeks but within the latest timeline of eight to 10 weeks.
"I'm good to go," Markkanen said. "At first, you kind of naturally are cautious about it. But I feel good and I'm just trying to get my wind back. Conditioning is definitely different than game shape. I'm probably not going to feel normal (for a bit). But it's the first step."
Sporting a large protective sleeve, Markannen checked in at the 4-minute, 32-second mark of the first quarter. He missed his first jumper badly, barely hitting the rim, but sank a 3-pointer on his next attempt.
"I'm not worried about my shot. That's the least of my problems," Markkanen said. "I'm just excited to get back out there and help the team. I know we've been on a losing streak lately. So I'll just try to do whatever the team needs."
The schedule sets up nicely for Markkanen, who will start at power forward perhaps as early as Tuesday. Along those lines, Hoiberg said while certain lineups will feature Parker and Markkanen together at power forward and center, "it's also about getting (Parker) reacclimated to playing (small forward)." Hoiberg quickly shelved playing Parker at small forward in the preseason.
The Bulls play Tuesday and then not again until Friday. The latter game begins a back-to-back set of home games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics. Markkanen has been cleared to handle back-to-backs.
"We will be careful with his minutes," Hoiberg said. "We'll have constant communication while he's on the floor to see if he needs a break to get his wind. But he's done a great job of preparing himself for this moment with all the work he has done.
"Everybody is excited to have him back. He has a great skill set. He can do a lot on the floor. He demands a lot of attention to hopefully open up some driving lanes for some of our playmakers. He'll have the ball in his hands some as well in facilitating."
