Alex Caruso injury update: Will Bulls star feature in battle vs Miami Heat
The Chicago Bulls are one win away from making the 2024 NBA Playoffs, but they may struggle as Alex Caruso is nursing a lingering injury. The former NBA All-Defensive First Team player's participation is questionable against the Miami Heat.
During the matchup between the Bulls and Hawks in their knockout game at the NBA Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament, Caruso left the game in the second quarter after a collision with teammate Andre Drummond.
The strength of Drummond forced the smaller Caruso to the floor while both of them were rushing back to the defensive end. The six-foot-three guard limped back to the Bulls bench and checked out of the game.
The Bulls' starting forward only logged in 17:25 minutes but was able to contribute six points, two rebounds, two assists, two three-pointers and one steal.
Even without Caruso, the Bulls were able to pull off a convincing victory over the Hawks, 131-116. Coby White had one of the best games of his career, tallying 42 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. Nikola Vucevic and DeMar DeRozan followed White's hot hand with 24 and 22 points apiece.
Alex Caruso details what happened with him and André Drummond
Chicago Bulls fans are in shock after Alex Caruso left the court in the second period but all is well as the team lives to fight another day.
With the upcoming contest against the Miami Heat to determine who would secure the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, Caruso explains what happened during the play with Drummond.
"[Drummond] caught me on my right foot that kinda gave out- my left one tried to catch me/ Just kind of tweaked my ankle a little bit --- that same one I was dealing with for the last couple weeks of the season that we were managing and figuring out," said Caruso to the media right after their game against the Hawks.
As of this writing, there has been no indication that Alex Caruso will play against the Heat despite his sprain. Nonetheless, the Bulls should capitalize on the fact that Miami's ring leader, Jimmy Butler, is suspected of having an MCL injury that will sideline him for several weeks.
Alex Caruso registered his highest scoring average (10.1 ppg) this season. He also contributed with 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks, aside from 3.8 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.