Bulls’ Hamilton leaves game with shoulder injury

Bulls guard Richard Hamilton left Monday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers with a right shoulder injury. The team said his return was questionable.

Hamilton left the floor about 90 seconds after the game tipped off, walking directly into the tunnel leading to the Bulls’ locker room while holding the shoulder. He was replaced in the lineup by Ronnie Brewer.

Hamilton, in his first season as a Bull, was looked at as a possible final piece in Chicago’s quest for an NBA title, but has been limited to 16 games because of nagging injuries. He’s averaging 12.1 points, fourth-best on the team.

The Bulls entered the game with the NBA’s best record at 31-8.