BOSTON — Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey seems to have averted critical damage after leaving Monday’s win over the Toronto Raptors with a sprained ankle.
Within the third quarter of the 122-121 victory, Giddey lunged at Raptors wing Gradey Dick in an try to dam a 3-point shot and landed awkwardly on his proper foot. Giddey was capable of stand up however headed straight to the locker room with the assistance of medical workers and was instantly dominated out of the rest of the match.
Giddey didn’t take part in apply Wednesday at TD Backyard, however coach Billy Donovan mentioned Giddey was experiencing much less discomfort, main medical workers to hope he could make a faster return.
“He is in all probability unsure proper now,” Donovan mentioned of Thursday’s recreation towards the Boston Celtics. “I feel it should in all probability be listed that method, but it surely’s quite a bit higher than we initially thought.
“To be trustworthy with you, the best way he fell – and the ankle he had some issues with this summer time – it regarded worse. However he’ll need to deal with it and see how he progresses and the way lengthy it takes.
The Bulls didn’t present a timetable for Giddey’s return.
Giddey injured the identical ankle whereas representing Australia on the Paris Olympics this summer time. He ruptured his anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) in a quarterfinal loss to Serbia, an damage that sidelined him for a good portion of his first coaching camp in Chicago.
Giddey was barely restricted within the preseason however confirmed no lingering points from his damage earlier than Monday.
Whereas the Bulls look ahead to Giddey to return, Donovan will face a significant problem balancing the rotation at level guard. Lonzo Ball stays restricted to a 20-minute restriction, though the Bulls have exceeded that restrict at instances. For instance, Ball performed three minutes past his restriction in Toronto with the understanding that he would obtain further restoration time two days earlier than the subsequent recreation.
Zach LaVine practiced totally Wednesday after lacking Monday’s recreation with again spasms, giving the Bulls hope he will likely be obtainable towards the Celtics. LaVine requested just a few teammates to remain again after apply for added particular person drills, however mentioned he was limiting his optimism till he may really feel how his physique reacted Thursday morning.
Patrick Williams can be taking part in below a minutes restriction, which limits one other obtainable wing. And Donovan desires to keep away from overloading Ayo Dosunmu, who has usually performed half-hour or extra whereas the Bulls are restricted to only one true level guard.
“We have now to deal with this as greatest we are able to,” Donovan mentioned. “It’s sort of a math drawback.”
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