Kris Dunn is back with the Bulls and will participate in All-Star Weekend

SHARE Kris Dunn is back with the Bulls and will participate in All-Star Weekend
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Point guard Kris Dunn and his minutes restriction will be going Hollywood after all.

Dunn was sidelined for almost a month after landing facefirst on a dunk in a Jan.  17 loss to the Warriors. He dislocated his two front teeth and was in the concussion protocol until Wednesday, when he made his return against the Raptors.

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Bulls point guard Kris Dunn is all set to return tonight against the Raptors

That was good enough for the Bulls to give him the OK to head to Los Angeles and participate in the Rising Stars game — along with rookie Lauri Markkanen — but it came with a few conditions.

“He’s still working his way back into shape, so he can’t go out there in that game and play 30-plus minutes,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said.

“At the same time, I’m excited for him, I’m excited for Lauri. Go out and experience that weekend. It’s hopefully something where they can enjoy themselves, have some fun, decompress a little bit. But, Kris, if somebody is on a breakaway, let’s not spring back. Let’s stay at halfcourt and try to get a dunk.’’

Dunn didn’t need to be reminded twice.

“My team and coaching staff made it happen,’’ Dunn said of playing in the showcase for first- and second-year players. “They put me in the right situation and allowed me to be the player I could be for the team.

‘‘I’m really doing it all for my family. Just allow them to have that experience, allow them to have fun.

“My sisters, they’re young. So they might see some celebrities out there. That’s what they’ve been talking about. So it’s all about the family.’’

Dunn was hoping to attend a few parties but said he was still uncertain if he’d stick around and watch the actual All-Star Game on Sunday.

“I haven’t decided,’’ Dunn said. “I might try to go to the beach.’’

As far as the star search, Dunn was all in favor but with a caveat.

“Lil Uzi, Kanye West, the Kardashians, all the stuff you see on TV,’’ Dunn said when asked which stars his sisters wanted to see. “Hopefully, they get to see them.

“I told them, ‘If you see them, go get that picture.’ Now if anybody puts their hands on you, I got you.’’

Surprise, surprise

Markkanen also will participate in the Skills Challenge on Saturday.

“I’m practicing a little bit,’’ Markkanen said. “I’m doing the drills but not too bad. I’m not worried about that. I know everything I can do on those drills. So I should be good.’’

Before Karl-Anthony Towns won the skills competition in the 2015-16 season, it was dominated by guards.

Towns changed that, then Kristaps Porzingis won it last season.

The 7-foot Markkanen thinks he has shown he’s a better athlete than many thought coming out of college.

“I don’t think people were expecting that from me,’’ Markkanen said.

Follow me on Twitter @suntimes_hoops.

Email: jcowley@suntimes.com

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