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Bulls' McDermott describes recovery from second concussion

A concussion is always a worrisome injury, and in Doug McDermott's case, when it happened twice in less than two weeks, there was even more reason to be cautious.

McDermott returned to the court Thursday after missing 11 games with the second concussion. He missed just one game on Nov. 2 the first time it happened. Then against Washington on Nov. 12, he hit the floor hard after being knocked off-balance by a flagrant foul from Wizards forward Markieff Morris.

"Yeah. It was tough. The first week and a half was tough sleeping-wise, just weird symptoms you don't even realize," McDermott said at Thursday's shootaround. "Just being in cars, going to my appointments was tough at times, some headaches throughout the week. But with a concussion you just have to be true to yourself and true to the doctors. You don't want to lie about things because it can only make things worse. I'm finally to the point where I'm feeling better."

McDermott said he received some helpful support from Boston Celtics center Al Horford, who missed nine games while recovering from a concussion in early November.

"I actually talked to him on the phone for about 30 minutes," McDermott said. "He was in the middle of his and I just had my second one. We kind of just talked about our symptoms. He really took his time and you see his game has been really good since he's come back."

McDermott was able to resume noncontact basketball activities two weeks ago. Once cleared for full practice, McDermott worked out three times this week with the D-League's Windy City Bulls, since the Bulls are in a busy stretch of the schedule and not practicing.

"I don't think it will affect me at all because I think I've taken the time off, I've gotten the last couple weeks where I've been able to get in shape," he said. "I wouldn't play if I didn't feel like I was ready, so I'm excited to be out there."

Another week for MCW:

The Bulls are desperate for some bench help, but it will be at least another week on the sideline for guard Michael Carter-Williams. He suffered left knee and left wrist injuries in the Oct. 31 game at Brooklyn.

Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said a hard cast was removed from Carter-Williams' wrist, but it will remain in a splint for the next week or so.

"The good thing is everything seems to be going well with his knee," Hoiberg said. "Now it's about getting that wrist healthy and where it needs to be. He'll get checked again in 7-10 days and hopefully we'll have him shortly thereafter."

Carter-Williams is right-handed, so he's be able to run and do most basketball activities, which is why the Bulls think he'll be ready to go when the wrist is OK.

Dinwiddie called up:

Guard Spencer Dinwiddie, who spent training camp with the Bulls, became the first NBA call up in Windy City Bulls history. Dinwiddie signed with the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Dinwiddie averaged 19.4 points and 8.1 assists in nine games for the Windy City Bulls. The third-year pro spent his first two NBA seasons with Detroit.

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