By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The latest injury issue for the Chicago Bulls involves Montenegrin center Nikola Vucevic.
Vucevic, 33, will sit out with a strained left groin for at least seven to ten more days, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The streak of consecutive appearances was snapped on Tuesday. After playing in all 82 games of the 2022-23 Regular Season and the previous 31 of the ongoing Regular Season, Vucevic was ruled out for the contest against the Atlanta Hawks in United Center. Counting the 2022 NBA Playoffs, he started in 118 consecutive games.
“A lot of it is going to be how he responds to rehab,” head coach Billy Donovan commented before leading his side to 14-18 in the Regular Season. His starting center was placed on the injury list alongside Zach LaVine (foot inflammation) and Torrey Craig (foot sprain). Also, Turkish Onuralp Bitim is dealing with a nose injury.
Andre Drummond is likely to stay in the starting lineup, especially after posting a 24-point, 25-rebound double-double in the win versus the Hawks. It was his first start since joining the Bulls before the 2022-23 season. Over his 31 appearances this season, Vucevic averaged 16.7 points and 10.4 rebounds per contest.
The Bulls currently sit at the bottom end of the Eastern Conference’s Play-In zone behind a 14-18 record. Meeting the Indiana Pacers on Thursday and the Philadelphia 76ers on the upcoming edition of NBA Saturdays completes a six-game homestand and the schedule before New Year.
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