DeRozan’s injury only adds to Bulls’ offensive woes originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
As if the Chicago Bulls’ offense isn’t sputtering enough these days, DeMar DeRozan will miss at least Wednesday’s road game at Indiana after an MRI exam confirmed the team’s leading scorer has a Grade 1 thigh strain.
“I don’t think it’s significant. But we’ll see how he progresses and how he feels,” coach Billy Donovan said. “He knows his body well. He’s always very conscientious about taking care of it. We hope with treatment and how diligent he is, he’ll progress. But there’s enough discomfort there for him where he’s having a hard time moving and cutting and jumping.”
DeRozan revealed after Monday night’s home loss to the Orlando Magic, the Bulls’ season-high-tying fourth straight, that he’s quietly been dealing with discomfort for “a month and a half.” DeRozan missed three games with a right quad strain in mid-January and sat out the Feb. 7 road loss in Memphis with right hip soreness.
Donovan didn’t rule out DeRozan playing on Thursday night when the Bulls finish a back-to-back set of games at home against the Milwaukee Bucks before entering the All-Star break. DeRozan said late Monday that he planned to attend All-Star weekend.
“The thing they clearly want to do is see him getting extra treatment (Tuesday) and (Wednesday),” Donovan said about the decision for DeRozan not to travel. “Then, how does he feel for the Milwaukee game?”
The Bulls, already without Lonzo Ball and Javonte Green, also could be without Derrick Jones Jr., who left Monday’s loss early with a strained groin. Donovan said Alex Caruso, who missed Monday’s game with left foot soreness, is progressing and will be a gametime decision versus the Pacers.
All these injuries could again force Donovan to play seldom-used rookie Dalen Terry at power forward. The first-round pick delivered his most impactful minutes of the season against the Magic, particularly with his energy defensively.
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“There was certainly a size differential. But he fought and battled,” Donovan said. “We have to help…
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