advertisement

Caruso nears return for Bulls; Green and Cook expected to miss at least two weeks

The Bulls may have Alex Caruso back later this week, but coach Billy Donovan expected both Javonte Green (right adductor strain) and Tyler Cook (sprained left ankle) to miss a few weeks.

Green was injured during the Indiana game on Friday and Cook turned his ankle in Washington the following day. Donovan called Cook's sprain "significant" and listed a recovery time of two weeks.

Caruso has been out since Dec. 20 with a left foot sprain. He has returned to basketball activities, but Donovan wants the defensive-minded forward to participate in some full-contact practices.

"Alex is doing great," Donovan said. "Actually, when I got cleared (Saturday), I came into the building and worked him and Alfonzo (McKinnie) and Lonzo (Ball) out. So right now, the only thing we've got to see him do is have some kind of contact. I think if that goes well, he would be ready to play.

"In terms of the running and the workouts and the sprinting and the cutting, it's been fine. But he really hasn't had any contact at all, because we've let that sprain rest and he's been ramping up his running and conditioning."

Green has been the starter at power forward most of the season, so that's a major loss. Donovan said he expects Green to miss 2-4 weeks. Cook, on a two-way contract, had been playing valuable minutes with backup center Tony Bradley in protocols. Bradley is now out of protocols and should be available Friday.

"Javonte's played really well for us and he's been great," Donovan said. "He's complemented that first unit really well. We'll have to find ways to make up his energy because he's been an energy player for us.

"When you're playing as many games as we are, you need energy and he's one of those guys that provides that. Hopefully we get Alex back and that's another energy kind of player as well."

Twitter: @McGrawDHSports

White lends some assists to another Bulls blowout win

Hawks play on despite having 12 in health and safety protocols

Why mess with the chemistry? A bold trade at the deadline may not be in Bulls' future

DeRoz-again: Bulls win another improbable buzzer-beater

Looking back on 2021 and ahead to 2022 in local pro sports

In two days, DeRozan matched Jordan's career output

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.