Luol Deng playing with fractured thumb

Luol Deng entered Monday's game having averaged 22 points and 10.3 rebounds in his previous three.

That would be impressive in any circumstance, but those numbers are even more so considering this: Deng is playing with a fractured left thumb.

The Bulls first disclosed the injury Monday, more than a week after it happened during practice. The tiny fracture is near the top of the thumb, and Deng is wearing tape to protect it.

Though the injury isn't on Deng's shooting hand, it's causing considerable pain.

"It hurts a lot," said Deng, who declined to discuss the injury until a team official revealed it. "It affects me a little when I dribble and drive, but I want to play through it."

Perhaps this development will silence those who doubted Deng's toughness as he dealt with a stress fracture in his right tibia last season. Deng, who said the thumb injury will take six to eight weeks to heal, has yet to miss a game.

"He's been able to fight through it," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "It's something that will heal on its own."

Deng finished Monday's game with 26 points.