Against the Hawks, the Bulls were without their defensive stalwart.
Due to an injured left foot, Alex Caruso missed the Chicago Bulls’ game against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, which was a loss for the team. During shootaround, the seasoned guard made an effort to overcome his discomfort, but the team’s medical staff chose to give Caruso the night off out of caution.
That time of year is here.
Caruso was sore after his left foot was repeatedly trod on during their previous game against the Orlando Magic. The last thing Chicago needs is for Caruso to further his condition. The team is already dealing with injuries to a number of important players, including Zach LaVine, who is out for the season following foot surgery, and Patrick Williams, who has an uncertain recovery time from a foot ailment.
“Everyone knows what it is this time of year,” Caruso remarked.
“The NBA has been around for around 70 years [77], and everyone is aware that the dog days are games 45 to 60. That’s a mental struggle in addition to a physical one.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan might have to give some of the team’s young guns, including Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips, more playing time as a result of Caruso’s injury. Donovan, though, expressed his concern about fouling given those players’ tendency to do so.
“The discipline of not fouling is the biggest thing that both of those guys need to keep working at. Sometimes they’re fouling on plays when it’s not necessary to, Donovan clarified.
With the intention of getting back on the floor as soon as possible
With a 1-5 record while Caruso is sidelined, the Bulls don’t have much success winning games. Caruso wants to get back on the court as soon as possible in order to help his team get some much-needed victories as the Bulls aim to make the playoffs. The tough guard tells his teammates to be focused and prepared to play without him for the time being.
“I believe it’s about us remaining inside, regardless of who is able to leave that night and who is not,” Caruso stated.
“We’ve played to a better identity and are moving in the right direction in terms of what it takes to try and win games,”