Cavaliers guard Caris LeVert will be out at least a week or two after spraining his right foot during Tuesday’s practice, Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer relays.
LeVert underwent an MRI on Wednesday, which confirmed the sprain. All-Star point guard Darius Garland also missed Thursday’s loss at Detroit due to lower back soreness. He’ll undergo a period of treatment and rehabilitation, according to a team press release.
Garland’s injury is muscular and will need to be managed throughout the remainder of the season, according to Fedor.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Patrick Williams is getting closer to returning from wrist surgery but the 2020 lottery pick won’t automatically return to the Bulls’ starting lineup, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. “Staff-wise, as players get closer and closer to coming back, I think Javonte [Green] has done a really good job with that group in terms of how he’s fit in, what he’s been able to bring to the table in Patrick’s absence,’’ coach Billy Donovan said. “I’m not opposed to bringing Patrick off the bench and I’m not opposed to starting him. I think a lot of it is going to be once he can get back to practice, is there a minutes restriction on him, how many minutes can he play at a time, and what’s the best role for him to help our team?’’
- Alex Caruso underwent surgery to repair a fractured right wrist on January 24th and had an six-to-eight week reevaluation timeline. The Bulls guard appears to be on schedule, according to Rob Schaefer of NBC Sports Chicago. “We’re hoping by the end of this week, certainly early next week, that he’ll have a ball in his hands and be able to do things,” Donovan said. Williams has begun doing some dribbling and shooting work but Donovan said he needs to strengthen the wrist further before facing live contact.
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle believes the backcourt pairing of Tyrese Haliburton and Malcolm Brogdon will produce big results, Wheat Hotchkiss of Pacers.com writes. “I think they’re perfect compliments to one another,” Carlisle said. “They both have had their share of playing with and without the ball so both positions come naturally to them. I’m looking forward to it. Really with those two guys and their knowledge of the game, feel for the game, I should never have to call a play. “
All positive reports for LaVine, Williams, Dosunmu, Caruso, and Ball. I cannot wait to see how this team will respond when they’re at full strength and 100% healthy.
Now, they should be as deep as anyone with their added depth from guys stepping up in others absences.
Ball, LaVine, Derozan, Green, Vucevic
Dosunmu, White, Caruso, Williams, Thompson
Then they’ll have versatile, defensive-minded, athletic forward, and postermaker in Derrick Jones Jr., a 3pt specialist in Matt Thomas, a defensive specialist, big in Tony Bradley, and another young, athletic, and 3/D wing in Troy Brown Jr. all as end of the bench fill-ins..
The Bulls should be able to mix and match their scoring threats with their defensive stoppers to collectively make a fast-paced, tough minded and gritty, high scoring team…They’ll be as fun to watch as anyone, and AK/ME and Donovan should both be up for executive of the year and coach of the year awards for putting this squad together and Donovan coaching them up and managing through all their injuries and COVID cases.
As a Bulls fan who has suffered through so much incompetence from the Bulls last coach and front office cronies, it’s such a fresh breath of air!!
It’s so nice to not have to preface, saying my favorite team with don’t laugh..Now, I can once again proudly say I’m just a Chicago Bulls fan!!
I’m happy bulls fan as well but we haven’t made the playoffs yet, focus on the task at hand Richard, let’s continue to see good basketball nightly
The Thompson pickup is already looking good. I don’t think the Bulls beat the Hawks last night without him getting some key offensive boards. Well done.