Dunn Sprains MCL, Will Miss 4 to 6 Weeks
The Bulls might have to wait a little longer to get their first win, and even longer to get to the 27 wins they amassed last year. On Monday, they only appeared to have lost their game to the Dallas Mavericks, 115–109. Less than 24 hours later, that proved not to be the case. It turned out Kris Dunn sprained his MCL during the second quarter, and though he finished the game, Fred Hoiberg said Tuesday that Dunn will be out the next four to six weeks.
The point guard position, already exposed as very thin for the Bulls with Dunn missing the first two games after the birth of his child, suddenly becomes a lot more precarious. Cameron Payne already is under scrutiny for his poor play, and Ryan Arcidiacono didn’t see the floor at all Monday. Sure, the Bulls have a couple more options in recent additions Tyler Ullis and Shaquille Harrison, but who’s really expecting anything out of them? They barely registered a blip on the radar when they were signed.
As for the Bulls, who already have Lauri Markkanen and Denzel Valentine missing significant time, how further their roster can be stretched is anyone’s guess. This is not something they can afford when the defense has been so poor in the first three games. And while the offense has been far better, you don’t want to lose another important piece that has the ability to score enough points to give you a win. Above all, the loss of Dunn is a hit to the team’s depth, if not its number of playmakers.
You probably read that last paragraph and thought, “Why are you talking about wins when this is the perfect opportunity to tank again?” And yes, I’m guilty of tweeting #BeBadForBarrett a few times since the Markkanen injury news broke. But looking at it from the players’ perspective, they’re not concerned about what anyone outside of the locker room things. Anything that impedes their ability to succeed will not go over well with them, especially freak injuries like this.
If there’s one piece of advice I can pass along for the next month, it’s this: Be excited about the prospect of tanking again at your own risk. We knew this team probably wasn’t going to make the playoffs anyway, and remember that the lottery chances are more even starting this season. As for fan conduct, there still are people in Bulls Nation that want to see good basketball every game in spite of the big picture, so curb your enthusiasm during the ugliest moments so you’re not pushing their buttons. There’s only so much campaigning to be in a spot in June to select R.J. Barrett, Zion Williamson, Cameron Reddish or insert Duke breakout star here.
Whatever side of the aisle you’re on, brace yourself for some ugly basketball. A team destined for 30 wins might now be fighting to climb out of the teens by the end of the season. That’s as objective a take on this team as one can have. All we can ask for now is that Markkanen, Valentine and now Dunn get well soon.
