CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- Bulls forward Javonte Green is expected to be out two to four weeks with a groin injury, coach Billy Donovan said Monday evening.
Green apparently suffered the injury in the Bulls’ win against the Pacers last Friday, a game in which he played into the final minute. Green was then ruled out ahead of Chicago’s win at Washington on Saturday and is now set to be sidelined for a fairly significant period of time. Green would miss about eight more games if he came back in two weeks and around 15 games if he returns at the four-week mark.
Green is averaging 5.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 22.2 minutes across 29 games, including 18 starts. He has been the Bulls’ primary starting forward since second-year pro Patrick Williams went down with a serious wrist injury early in the season.
“The MRI shows a strain there,” Donovan said. “I think they’ve got to let that heal.
“Javonte has played really well for us, and he’s been great. You know, it is a tough loss. I think he’s complimented that first unit really, really well.”
In other injury news, Bulls big man Tyler Cook is expected to be sidelined at least a couple weeks with a “pretty significant ankle sprain,” Donovan said. He suffered the injury on an awkward landing in Chicago’s win at Washington on Saturday.
Bulls guard Alex Caruso (foot) is out Monday but is “doing great” in his progress, Donovan said. The team wants to see how he responds to contact in practice setting and if all goes well, he’ll then be cleared to play. That figures to put Caruso in line to return when the Bulls host the Wizards on Friday. Monday will mark the sixth straight game that Caruso misses.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.