For the first time all season, it appears the Chicago Bulls have caught a break on the injury front, as rookie big man Wendell Carter Jr. reportedly has a sprained right thumb and won't require surgery, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune.
Wendell Carter Jr. injured his thumb Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center. An MRI was performed on Wednesday and the results showed no ligament damage of any kind, which is a huge relief for the franchise:
2nd test result showed ligament is intact, per source. Carter’s left thumb is sprained, not fractured, and won’t require surgery. In fact, Bulls, who initially feared Carter would miss weeks, are prepared to call him day-to-day. Bulls dodge bullet after injury-plagued season.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 16, 2019
This is great news for Wendell Carter Jr., who is having a sound rookie season with the Bulls. The seventh overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Duke University is averaging 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game for Chicago while shooting an efficient 48.5 percent from the floor.
Carter Jr. is second among rookies in rebounds per game and has the second most blocks (58).
In what has been a disastrous season for the Bulls thus far, Wendell Carter Jr. has been one bright spot and he looks to be a building block for the future alongside shooting guard Zach LaVine and second-year stretch forward Lauri Markkanen.
Carter Jr. has been a solid rim protector for the Bulls and his footwork in the post has been exceptional for a rookie.
Chicago is currently on an eight-game losing streak. They take on the Denver Nuggets on Thursday in the Mile High City.
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