Bulls injuries thread

Rose joked he was scared to dunk on two breakaways but otherwise felt no toe pain. His swelling is gone and he wore special inserts to alleviate pain.

"It's never going to be right this year," he said. "But it's just something I have to play through."

According to two people familiar with Deng's situation, the eighth-year forward's plan is to rest his wrist in the short term and then try to play through the injury. A team source said an MRI revealed ligament damage and, tellingly, the Bulls officially moved from calling it a sprained wrist to merely an injured wrist.

"I think it's going to be a little bit," the source said.

[...]

He entered the United Center laughing and joking with a team executive with his left wrist and thumb in a splint and told teammates he doesn't think he will miss significant time unless he opts for surgery.

Though Taj Gibson missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle, the forward said the injury is improving and he's hoping to return for Friday's home game against the Bucks.

"I just want to get out there, but we need to make sure it's not a lingering injury," Gibson said. "That's why we're taking precaution, icing even on days off. Twice a day, I've been coming in for treatment."

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng has a torn ligament in his left wrist and will be "out for a while," according to coach Tom Thibodeau.

Thibodeau described Deng as "week to week" and said no surgery is planned, but it is an option.

"That's always a possibility," Thibodeau said. "The fact is it's his left wrist. After consulting with the doctors, he feels this is the best course of action. So obviously we're pleased that he doesn't have to have the surgery."

An upbeat Deng tried to put a positive spin on the news.

"I know it's a bad injury, and it sounds terrible, but I'll be fine," Deng said.

Asked why he doesn't have surgery now, Deng said the 16-3 Bulls' title chances play a role in his decision.

@KCJHoop K.C Johnson
Rip did some shooting. Gametime decision vs. Heat. Lu did "more than he ever has" but hasn't taken contact. Also gametime. #Bulls
42 minutes ago via UberSocial for BlackBerry

Luol Deng (wrist) and Richard Hamilton (thigh) are both game-time decisions for Sunday afternoon's showdown with the Miami Heat, according to Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau.

"(Deng) did more today than he's ever done, I think (after the injury)," Thibodeau told reporters after Saturday's practice. "He's feeling better, but he's not practicing yet. He's doing a lot of individual work and a lot of therapy. He's getting close."

The official estimate is "indefinitely," and it seems obvious that Bulls shooting guard Richard Hamilton will be out for several weeks.

He aggravated a groin strain and left thigh bruise on Sunday against Miami and missed the next two games against Washington and Philadelphia. Since Hamilton has missed 13 games already, he clearly leads time to heal and then ease himself back into playing shape.

[...]

"I want to make sure this time he's completely healthy," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "I think a guy like that, you've just got to be careful with. So that's what we're going to do."

bulls_with_booz wrote:This thread is way too active.

NEWARK, N.J. -- Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose left Monday night's 108-87 win over with the New Jersey Nets because of lower back spasms.

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"Health is a big concern," Thibodeau said. "We're hopeful. He's done a great job of taking care of himself this year, doing a lot of extra conditioning, lifting, rehab, massage, rest. So we're hopeful that this is a very short-term thing."

Rose was treated for back issues during Saturday night's win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He said that he didn't remember when he initially hurt his back.