NBA Rumors: 'Optimism' Bulls' Alex Caruso Will Play vs. Heat in Play-In Amid Injury

Alex Caruso will be a game-time decision in the Chicago Bulls' play-in matchup with the Miami Heat on Friday after the guard suffered an ankle injury Wednesday night against the Atlanta Hawks, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

There is "optimism" he will be able to play, Wojnarowski added.

According to Wojnarowski, Caruso underwent further evaluations on Thursday that showed reduced swelling in his left ankle after the initial injury in Chicago's 131-116 win over Atlanta.

Caruso, who was limited to 17 minutes on Wednesday, had six points in the win. This season, he has averaged 10.1 points per game while notching a career-high one block per game and a career-high-tying 1.7 steals per game.

Caruso has had the best season of his career this year and has been integral in keeping Chicago's playoff hopes alive. He notched his first NBA All-Defensive first team appearance a year ago and has a strong case to do it again this season. Having him back on the court on Friday would be vital for the Bulls.

They have a tough challenge going up against the Heat, who reached the playoffs via the play-in tournament a year ago before advancing all the way to the NBA Finals. But Miami will be without a pair of key players on Friday, making another playoff appearance much more difficult.

On Thursday the Heat announced they will be without star small forward Jimmy Butler, who sprained his MCL against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday, and Terry Rozier, who is dealing with a neck injury.

If Caruso can return to action on Friday, the Bulls will be in good position to beat Miami and reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2021-22 season.