Kirk Hinrich Injury: Updates on Bulls Guard's Thigh

Chicago Bulls guard Kick Hinrich has reportedly sustained a thigh injury in Game 1 of their first-round NBA playoff series against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night.

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune posted via Twitter:

UPDATE: Saturday, April 20, at 11:30 p.m. ET by Dan Talintyre

The Chicago Tribune's K.C. Johnson has brought some good news for Bulls fans, with the revelation that Hinrich is confident he will play in Game 2.

Game 2 is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. ET.

---End of update---

The Bulls were trailing the Nets by a significant margin when the injury took place, with Brook Lopez spurring the Nets offense to a commanding lead.

Star guard Derrick Rose is unlikely to return for Chicago for the entire postseason, and star center Joakim Noah also had serious question marks surrounding his health heading into Game 1—making another injury the last thing that the Bulls wanted.

Hinrich may not offer as much offensively as the likes of Nate Robinson or Rose (averaging just 7.7 points and 5.2 assists this season), but was filling a huge role for the Bulls defensively, as they sought to keep Nets' star guard Deron Williams under wraps.

However, following Hinrich's injury, the three-time All-Star was able to chalk up eight points in just over 12 minutes—finishing the night with 22 points, seven assists and three steals as the Nets hammered the Bulls in Game 1.

Hinrich has struggled throughout the year with various injuries and has missed several games in 2013, but was reportedly back to feeling his best prior to the game.

No word is yet known on the severity of the injury or how long Hinrich will be out, but with Game 2 scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m. ET, any time that the guard has to spend on the sidelines will have serious ramifications for the Chicago Bulls.

Especially if Williams is going to extend his hot streak again.

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