Chicago Bulls heart Nikola Vucevic is predicted to overlook an unspecified period of time with a strained left groin, coach Billy Donovan stated Tuesday. His left adductor contusion is reportedly nothing critical.
Vucevic had an MRI examination after struggling the damage in Saturday’s 109-95 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 2-time All-Star fell to the ground after being dunked on by Cavaliers ahead Max Strus.
In accordance to a couple NBA betting websites, the Bulls maintain Twenty third-ranked odds to win this season’s championship. Sportsbooks are displaying higher odds for the New York Knicks, Atlanta Hawks, and Indiana Pacers.
Andre Drummond will get the beginning for Nikola Vučević (Out – left adductor contusion) tonight vs. Atlanta.@FirstAlert | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/u99DVlG05G
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 27, 2023
By means of 31 begins this season, the 6-foot-10 huge man is averaging 16.7 factors, 10.4 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 34 minutes per recreation. Plus, he’s capturing 45.2% from the ground and a career-best 87.5% on the foul line.
In Chicago’s 120-113 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 20, he recorded a season-high 29 factors on 11-of-21 (52.4%) capturing from the sphere. Vecevic, 33, hasn’t missed a recreation for the reason that regular-season finale within the 2021-22 season.
Chicago Bulls’ Nikola Vucevic (left adductor contusion) will miss time, Zach Lavine (foot) stays out
“Quite a lot of it will be how he responds to rehab,” Donovan advised reporters. “He clearly was fairly sore after [Saturday’s] recreation and clearly over Christmas.”
Throughout the offseason, Vucevic signed a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Bulls. The USC product is incomes $18.51 million this season and is slated to make $20 million in 2024-25.
His deal additionally features a $21.48 million wage for 2025-26. If the Bulls determine to commerce him and Zach LaVine, Vucevic can’t be dealt till this Thursday. The commerce restriction clause in his new contract prohibits an early departure.
Nikola Vucevic is out vs. Hawks, per Donovan.
Vucevic performed all 82 video games final season and that is his first missed recreation this season.
— Okay.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 26, 2023
Furthermore, Donovan stated the Bulls will play “considerably small” with Patrick Williams receiving minutes at heart in Vucevic’s absence. Chicago remains to be with out LaVine (foot irritation) and Torrey Craig (foot sprain) as effectively.
The Bulls introduced final week that Craig would miss roughly eight to 10 weeks due to an acute sprain of his proper plantar fascia. Craig, 33, injured his foot throughout the second quarter of a 118-116 loss at Miami on Dec. 16.
