Alex Caruso might miss Game 5 of the Chicago Bulls’ first-round playoff collection after being positioned in concussion protocol this weekend.
Caruso took an inadvertent blow to the face from Milwaukee Bucks guard Jevon Carter within the second quarter of Sunday’s Game 4 loss. Carter’s arm swiped throughout Caruso’s face as he drove by the defender and appeared to make contact twice. The contact triggered Caruso’s nostril to bleed, which required a number of minutes of fresh up earlier than he might return to the sport.
Although Caruso insisted on enjoying by means of the quarter, coach Billy Donovan mentioned the guard was visibly in ache and exhibited concussion signs within the locker room, which resulted in his removing from the sport.
Following additional checks, Caruso was positioned in concussion protocol Monday. Donovan mentioned Caruso might be “day-to-day” as he continues to check, and the Bulls medical employees is not sure when he might be accepted for contact once more.
“Now it’s about how soon does he start to not have symptoms anymore before he can get back in play,” Donovan mentioned. “His availability in Game 5 right now is up in the air.”
Losing Caruso can be a blow to the Bulls as they face elimination in opposition to the Bucks on Wednesday, who presently maintain a 3-1 lead with dwelling court docket benefit. Caruso began because the Bulls level guard all through the collection and within the closing stretch of the common season. He has been sidelined for lengthy swathes of this season attributable to accidents, together with a damaged wrist and again spasms. Rookie Ayo Dosunmu usually has crammed in in Caruso’s absence.
Besides lacking a beginning guard, the Bulls additionally lose their sharpest defensive edge with out Caruso on the perimeter. Defense is a necessity for the Bulls, as they’ve averaged solely 94 factors per sport within the collection.
Donovan mentioned the Bulls count on to reassess Caruso Tuesday earlier than the group heads as much as Milwaukee to organize for Game 5.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com