Mike Dunleavy Injury: Updates on Bulls Star's Ankle and Return
Chicago Bulls forward Mike Dunleavy continues to battle an ankle injury that has forced him to miss extended time; however, Dunleavy is expected to play vs. Sacramento.
Continue for updates.
Dunleavy Expected to Play vs. Kings
Tuesday, Feb. 10
According to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune, Dunleavy is expected to play vs. Sacramento.
After missing practice on Feb. 2, Dunleavy "acknowledged that he may sit til after All-Star break, but wants to keep try to get back sooner," per Friedell.
"'I’m just keeping my fingers crossed next week goes well,' said Dunleavy, '(that) I have a couple of good days of practice and can play on Wednesday.'
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Dunleavy also commented on his disappointment in his recovery:
The frustration for the Bulls, though especially for Dunleavy, was that the injury seemed minor, like an ankle sprain.
"I thought I was going to be able to play the next night. Certainly within the next week. It’s just something that’s dragged out because we didn’t realize how bad I got it. Now I’m just dealing with discomfort where I can’t play. I’m close, but I’ve got to be able to do all the things, the running and stuff, playing the game. I’m just not there yet. But it could be any day now.
[...]
It’s beyond frustrating. It’s been four or five games I woke up the morning of (a game) and went through my routine and expected to play that night and just have not been able to go. It’s way past the point of annoying.
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Dunleavy Injury More Significant Than Initially Anticipated
Friday, Jan. 9
Dunleavy had been held out of action with an injury that was clearly more significant than initially anticipated. As Friedell noted, Dunleavy would require an MRI on his ankle after still being unable to run.
In his second season in Chicago, Dunleavy battled knee soreness throughout the preseason but has been a surprise bastion of health since his arrival. He played 31.5 minutes per game while appearing in all 82 games in 2013-14, the first time he's touched the 30-minute mark since his career-best season with Indiana (2007-08).
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