Bulls' Josh Giddey Reportedly Playing Through Muscle Tear Injury in Hand

Chicago Bulls forward Josh Giddey has been playing through a muscle tear in his right palm over the past month, per ESPN's Shams Charania, though he will be available for Wednesday's Play-In Tournament matchup against the Miami Heat.

"It's a pain-tolerance injury," Charania reported. "Something that's going to take him some weeks after the year to rest and rehab."

That report mirrors comments from Giddey and head coach Billy Donovan on Tuesday:

Giddey, 22, has been fantastic for the Bulls down the stretch, averaging 21.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 21 games following the All-Star break, shooting 50 percent from the field and 45.7 percent from three. All of those marks are higher than his season averages (14.6 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 7.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 46.5 FG%, 37.8 3P%).

The Bulls have need that uptick in production as the team continues to deal with injuries to key players like Lonzo Ball, Tre Jones and Ayo Dosunmu, who all will miss Wednesday's game.

"If he can get through that week and we're fortunate enough to play beyond the Play-In, that would be the goal," Donovan told reporters Monday regarding the potential for a Ball return at some point.

The fact that Giddey will be able to play on Wednesday, then, is a key development. The beat-up Bulls have two other factors playing in their favor against the Heat—they will host Wednesday's Play-In Tournament game, and they swept the season series between the teams, 3-0, including last week's 119-111 victory.