The Chicago Bulls will be without Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, and Luol Deng when they face off in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Head coach Tom Thibodeau announced that the three men would sit out of Game 3 during his Friday morning press conference.
Derrick Rose sitting out of Game 3 is no surprise, Rose hasn’t stepped on the court since tearing his left ACL on April 28, 2012. Rose underwent surgery on May 12 but said he would be willing to return during the postseason. Before Rose can return he must receive the go ahead from Bulls management.
Luol Deng has been sitting out since undergoing a test for spinal meningitis. After being in and out of the hospital Deng dropped 15 pounds from the flue and complications from the spinal tap.
Talking about his illness Luol Deng said:
“It’s hard, man. We’ve had a long season. I’ve played with a lot of injuries. I’ve went through the wrist [injury] with torn ligaments. I had a fractured thumb, I played with it. I just went through all that to be able to play. I just didn’t think something besides an injury would keep me out, and that’s what makes it really hard. I don’t know what you can do.”
Kirk Hinrich is also out after undergoing a second MRI on Thursday. Hinrich bruised his left calf and according to Thibodeau it has “improved some” but still requires Hinrich to “keep working at it.”
The Bulls lost to the Miami Heat in Game 2, allowing the series to be tied at one game a piece.
Do you think the Chicago Bulls can win a championship with Rose, Hinrich, and Deng sitting out?
