The Chicago Bulls made an announcement on Tuesday regarding the status of veteran player Torrey Craig, who sustained a right knee sprain during a weekend workout. According to the team, Craig will undergo a re-evaluation in 2-4 weeks to assess his recovery progress.
Head coach Billy Donovan provided an update on another key player, Patrick Williams, noting that Williams is still dealing with mild discomfort in his left foot. Donovan emphasized the need for caution in managing Williams’ injury, as the player has been sidelined for the past nine games due to this issue.
At 33 years old, Craig has played in 33 games for the Bulls this season, starting in eight of them. He has maintained averages of 6.1 points and 4.7 rebounds in 21 minutes per game, with shooting percentages of 42.5 from the field and 37.4 from three-point range.
However, Craig has faced challenges in maintaining his health, having previously missed 22 games due to a sprained plantar fascia earlier in the season.
Injuries have become a significant concern for the Bulls, with multiple key players sidelined. Alongside Craig and Williams, star guard Zach LaVine, who has been the subject of trade rumors, is already out for the remainder of the season due to a right foot injury requiring surgery.
Donovan acknowledged LaVine’s efforts to return to the court but highlighted the player’s frustration with the discomfort in his foot, which hindered his ability to contribute effectively.
With the team’s wing depth depleted due to injuries, Donovan expressed concerns about overreliance on players like DeMar DeRozan, Coby White, and Alex Caruso, suggesting that the heavy minutes load placed on them may not be sustainable in the long run.
Despite their disappointing 26-29 record, the Bulls remain competitive in the playoff race, currently occupying the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. However, the team’s depth challenges due to injuries, with Craig being the latest casualty, pose obstacles to their playoff aspirations.
