Deng says he’s a week away from return
Luol Deng doesn’t expect to be back on the floor for another week or more. He made that assessment before Friday’s game in an interview with Bulls radio broadcaster Chuck Swirsky.
Deng tore a ligament in his left wrist last Saturday against Charlotte. He elected not to have surgery and plans to play as soon as he’s able.
“It’s a day-by-day thing. I would say right now probably a week away, maybe more,” Deng said. “It’s hard to tell. It’s definitely a bad injury, but I really believe I will be back soon and doing everything.”
Deng’s statement seemed to contradict a report that he planned to play on Sunday at Miami. But even Deng admitted he’s not sure when the wrist will be well enough to play in a game.
“If I’m able to go on Sunday, I’ll go,” he said. “I’ve never put an exact date on it. I’ve got to make sure I rehab and get this down so it doesn’t keep coming back. I don’t want it to be a recurring problem.
“Every day I’ve been taking steps. When it first happened, I had a hard time doing anything. Since it happened until now, I’ve been able to do a lot more. I’ve been able to dribble a little bit. It’s really improving at a fast rate. Hopefully, I’m out there soon. It’s tough sitting down.”
Likewise, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau also had no answers about a potential Deng return. He’s missed three games so far.
“Each day he’s getting better,” Thibodeau said. “He still has to take contact on it, but he’s moving in the right direction.”
Bucks lose Bogut:The injury news could always be worse for the Bulls. Milwaukee just found out that center Andrew Bogut will miss 8 to 12 weeks with a broken left ankle, which happened on Wednesday against Houston.Bogut was just starting to get back to his old form, before a nasty arm injury knocked him out late in the 2009-10 season.#147;He was making a second effort on a ball and came down funny on somebody#146;s leg,#148; Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. #147;There#146;s nothing you can do about it. I can#146;t be frustrated by it. I hope people aren#146;t branding him as some sort of chronically-injured guy.#147;It#146;s different from always having a hamstring or something related to poor conditioning. These are just two freak accidents. There#146;s nothing anybody can do about it.#148;Bull horns:Former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen attended Friday#146;s game and was booed by fans when shown on the United Center#146;s video board. #133; Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, in town for the White Sox fan gathering, visited with coach Tom Thibodeau before Friday#146;s contest. ... Bucks forward Jon Leuer, a second-round pick from Wisconsin, scored 19 points in 20 minutes, hitting 9-of-11 shots from the field.