NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls had six players out with injuries in last night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, and … one day later they’ve added to the list.
According to NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson, Luke Kornet suffered a sprained ankle during practice and currently has no timetable for return. Fortunately for the Bulls, Daniel Gafford returned from injury against the Hornets and Wendell Carter Jr. is on the verge of a return of his own, continuing practice with the team today.
Still, it’s hard to believe Carter Jr. would play in full if he returned this weekend with back-to-back games against the Sun and Wizards. Considering he hasn’t played since January 6th, it’s fair to assume he’ll be on some kind of minute restriction. If that’s the case, the Bulls will be forced to extend Gafford’s minutes or continue to give a handful of minutes to Cristiano Felicio. Which …. ugh.
Meanwhile, exactly when we can expect a return from Otto Porter is still up in the air, but it’s certainly on the horizon. Johnson said that Porter, Carter, and Valentine (who is out with a hamstring injury) all practiced with some 3-on-3.
Also, with Porter not playing since November 6th, 2019, it’s just refreshing to finally see him up and running.
Wendell Carter and Otto Porter finish out practice with some light sprints pic.twitter.com/DLZlnAiJKM
— Tony Gill (@thetonygill) February 21, 2020
Chandler Hutchison was a kind-of surprise addition to the injury report after the All-Star break. The second-year player was offering-up some very encouraging basketball over his last several games. He attacked the rim and flashed the two-way potential that made him such an intriguing prospect coming out of Boise State. However, injuries have become the story of his career, he’s now re-aggravated a shoulder injury that caused him to miss 17 games earlier this season.
Here’s what he had to say:
Chandler Hutchison describes what happened over the break that caused hin to be out pic.twitter.com/HpSy99kb2l
— Tony Gill (@thetonygill) February 21, 2020
I feel bad for the guy. He has quickly gained the “injury-prone” label in the NBA, but he was basically the exact opposite in college. During his four years at Boise State, he appeared in 123 of 130 total games. Uh, yeah, that’s pretty durable.
Hutchison: "This past two years is something I’ve never experienced in my life. Having to deal with injuries that are freak deals. I fall down in the last 14 seconds of a game, jam my foot and I’m out 30 games. I get hit by a screen that happens every game and I’m out 6 weeks."
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 21, 2020
With only 26 games ahead, it’s fair to wonder if Hutchison will return, but according to him, he’ll be back soon.
Anyway, can players stop getting injured now? The season is practically over, but I wouldn’t mind seeing a fully healthy squad for at least a couple of games. Thanks.
