Markkanen nearing return for Bulls

Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen is moving closer to his season debut after spraining his right elbow in September.

Markkanen has been ramping up his workouts, and coach Fred Hoiberg says the plan is have him “fully participate in practice” on Tuesday. If that goes well, the Bulls could set a date for Markkanen’s return to game action.

The 7-foot Markkanen was selected by Minnesota with the No. 7 pick in last year’s draft and then traded to the Bulls in the Jimmy Butler deal. He averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 68 games as a rookie.

Rockets guard Chris Paul was out for Monday night’s game against the Wizards with a sore left leg. It was the second consecutive game Paul has missed. He sat out Saturday’s game in Cleveland after playing 37 minutes in an overtime win in Detroit the night before. The Rockets said he was being rested against the Cavaliers. “We’ve just got to make sure Chris is 100 percent well from his strained hammy,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. AP