The Chicago Bulls are one win away from joining the 2024 NBA Playoffs, but they may struggle with Alex Caruso’s ongoing injury. The former NBA All-Defensive First Team member’s participation against the Miami Heat is questionable.
Caruso departed the game in the second quarter of the Bulls’ elimination game against the Hawks in the NBA Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament after colliding with teammate Andre Drummond.
Drummond’s power pushed the smaller Caruso to the ground as both of them rushed back to the defensive end. The six-foot-three guard limps back to the Bulls bench and leaves the game.
Despite playing only 17:25 minutes, the Bulls’ starting forward managed to provide six points, two rebounds, two assists, two three-pointers, and one steal.
Even without Caruso, the Bulls won convincingly over the Hawks, 131-116. Coby White had one of his greatest performances ever, with 42 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan followed White’s hot hand, scoring 24 and 22 points, respectively.
Alex Caruso explains what transpired between him and André Drummond.
Chicago Bulls supporters are stunned as Alex Caruso exits the floor in the second quarter, but all is well as the squad survives to fight another day.
With the next game against the Miami Heat to determine who would finish eighth in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, Caruso describes what happened on the play with Drummond.
“[Drummond] caught me on my right foot that kind of gave out—my left one tried to catch me/just kind of tweaked my ankle a little bit—that same one I was dealing with for the last couple weeks of the season that we were managing and figuring out,” Caruso told the media after their game against the Hawks.
As of this writing, there has been no indication that Alex Caruso will play against the Heat despite his sprain. Nonetheless, the Bulls should capitalize on the fact that Miami’s ring leader, Jimmy Butler, is suspected of having an MCL injury that will sideline him for several weeks.
Alex Caruso registered his highest scoring average (10.1 ppg) this season. He also contributed with 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks, aside from 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.
