The return of Michael Carter-Williams is back on hold

DETROIT – Fred Hoiberg was still searching on Tuesday.

Searching for some kind of pick-me-up from his bench, some sort of help.

Help, however, is not coming through that door just yet.

Before watching his reserves allow a three-point game late in the first quarter quickly turn into a 15-point Piston lead by the early second, Hoiberg revealed that he didn’t exactly get the news he was hoping for on the injury front.

Yes, Doug McDermott (concussion) could be back as early as Thursday against the Spurs, which would be a welcomed addition to a bench that has now played 10 straight games without him. But the idea of getting Michael Carter-Williams immediately back into the rotation is now on hold.

According to Hoiberg, Carter-Williams met with doctors and did have the cast removed from his left wrist (bone chip), but they put a flexible cast back on, which he will have to wear for the next 10 days. He will then be re-evaluated once again at that point.

As for McDermott, he practiced with the D-League Windy City Bulls for a second straight day, and again came out with no lingering symptoms from the second concussion he’s already suffered this season.

“I think [Wednesday] is an important day for [McDermott] to meet with our team doctor,’’ Hoiberg said. “We’ll get him another workout and see how he’s doing after that.’’

Even if McDermott can go Thursday, he’s weeks behind on his conditioning, so his minutes would be limited for the time being.

“Yeah, conditioning, timing,’’ Hoiberg said, when asked what McDermott needs to focus on. “Again, he’s had several weeks now without any type of five-on-five, or any type of basketball condition, besides going 1-on-0. It was an important couple of days for Doug. Again, from the mental standpoint, to go out there and play, get hit, and know that he’s going to be OK.’’

Buying in

Assistant coach Jim Boylen has been given a lot of responsibility as far as the defensive philosophy carried out by the team, and while several scouts have indicated that the Bulls lack an identity on defense and seem to drastically change what they are doing from game to game, Hoiberg feels like his players have bought in.

“Defensively, you look at our numbers and they’re pretty good this year,’’ Hoiberg said. “We’ve slipped the last few games. We have to find a way to get our defensive edge back. But I think everybody’s on board with what we’re preaching.

“We just have to make sure we’re following the game plans and the little things you have to do to be a successful team are understood. But we’ve been pretty solid, especially with all the new faces we have.’’

The Bulls entered the game with Detroit ranked ninth in the league in points allowed (100.2 per game), and were 13th in opponents shooting percentage (.446).

The concern Hoiberg had at the start of the season was getting the opposition to turn the ball over, and they were tied for 18th in that category by forcing 13.2 turnovers per game.