Chicago Bulls Injury News: Nikola Mirotic Out Through All-Star Break after Appendectomy
The Chicago Bulls are dealing with injuries to key rotation players like Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose. While Rose is consistently battling knee problems, good news is there haven't been any major or serious setbacks, as of late. Noah, on the other hand, will miss the rest of the season following shoulder injury.
Now add to that list forward Nikola Mirotic, who, according to a statement released by the Bulls, will be out until after the All-Star break after undergoing an appendectomy. The team announced that the Montenigrin-Spanish player suffered from acute appendicitis that caused him to opt for surgery.
While the 24-year-old has been struggling this season, he showed a glimpse of improvement in the past couple of games. Unluckily for Chicago, the gradual buildup of momentum in Mirotic's game is halted with the appendectomy. His absence will certainly be felt by a Bulls frontcourt that needs more scoring this season to be able to compete with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top spot in the East.
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Mirotic will also skip the All-Star Weekend, something he'll definitely miss because he's just been named as one of the players who will be competing in the Rising Stars Challenge.
With him and Noah out, rookie head coach Fred Hoiberg will have to look for other options at frontcourt for a long stretch. It means Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson are expected to have more playing time and responsibility.
But those two are already regular contributors, which means that the scoring void left by Mirotic will have to be picked up by the bench, particularly Tony Snell and Doug McDermott, both of who can be inconsistent at times.
As for frontcourt help on the defensive end, Hoiberg has a couple of options in Cameron Bairstow and Cristiano Felicio. Both players came from the D-League and are eager to prove they belong in the NBA.
