Chicago Bulls guard Kris Dunn suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee during Friday night's game against the Brooklyn Nets. The Bulls announced Tuesday that Dunn will have an initial two-week period of “immobilization and physical therapy,” and then a return timetable will be determined after that.
Dunn was injured just 13 seconds into Friday night's game as the result of a freak accident. Bulls forward Thaddeus Young's head clattered into Dunn's knee after Young drew a charge on Nets forward Joe Harris. Dunn was immediately removed from the game, and he did not return.
The injuries continue to stockpile for the Bulls. Otto Porter Jr. has been out since Nov. 9, and both Wendell Carter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen are sidelined for the foreseeable future. Rookie big Daniel Gafford also recently missed time due to a dislocated right thumb.
Dunn missed 23 games last season due to an MCL sprain, so it is entirely possible the Bulls could be without their starting point guard for the stretch run as they try to sneak into the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
The 25-year-old is not the deadliest of perimeter shooters, but he impacts the game in multiple areas and is one of the more harassing defenders in the NBA. Dunn was averaging an even 2.0 steals despite playing under 25 minutes per game. he also ranks fifth in the NBA at 3.7 deflections per game, according to NBA.com.
Chicago will have to lean more heavily on Tomas Satoransky and Coby White in the backcourt.
Satoransky has proven himself a valuable offseason acquisition this year, averaging 10.1 points, 5.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds. White, on the other hand, has struggled in his rookie campaign. The former North Carolina guard is shooting under 38 percent from the field and has a host of ugly advanced metrics to his name, according to Basketball-Reference.
The two guards will have to be steadier on the defensive end and contribute added playmaking if the Bulls hope to remain in playoff contention.
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