MILWAUKEE — March wasn’t exactly kind to Ayo Dosunmu.
It was basically his least productive month since October of his rookie season.
The addition of Patrick Beverley has improved the Bulls in the standings, as well as given Dosunmu a true mentor, but it also has cost him playing time and slowed his development.
If it means victories, however, Dosunmu is willing to put everything on hold.
“Everybody is a competitor and wants to start; that’s just the reality of it,’’ Dosunmu said Wednesday. “But at this time of the year, it’s all about trying to get as many wins as possible. You really don’t have any time to worry about anything other than that because in about a week, we’re pretty much going into a [play-in] situation where you either win or lose, and your season can be over with. My mindset is all about winning, do whatever it takes to help us do that.’’
Lately that means chipping in about 20 minutes per game off the bench, averaging 6.3 points and shooting 48.1% from the field.
It’s a far cry from February, when the onetime starter was getting 30 minutes a game and scoring in double digits six times, including a 22-point performance against the Hornets.
The demotion has shown Dosunmu how quickly roles can change and also how much more he needs to work on once the offseason begins.
During the offseason, the Bulls might have to choose between re-signing Coby White or sticking with Dosunmu, the hometown kid who was selected in the second round of the 2021 draft.
“I have a lot of work to do,’’ Dosunmu said. “If you want to reach the goals that a competitor wants to reach, you always have things you say you want to work on. You look back at games 10 through 15 and say, ‘Wow, if I had the knowledge I have now for those games, it would be different.’
“There will definitely be an offseason plan, but my mindset is focused on these last few [regular-season] games, then doing whatever it takes to secure us a playoff spot.’’
Caruso misses game
Alex Caruso’s sprained left foot remained an issue, and the Bulls’ medical staff opted to sit him against the Bucks.
Caruso played against the Grizzlies on Sunday and the Hawks on Tuesday, but back-to-backs have been an obstacle.
“He came out of the Memphis game feeling really, really good,’’ coach Billy Donovan said. “Came out of [the Atlanta] game not feeling great. And, generally, in a day or two it subsides.’’
The good news was the game against the Bucks was the last back-to-back for the Bulls this season, so they should have their steals leader for however long this season goes — play-in or beyond.
“Besides the pain threshold for him, and he’s got a high pain threshold, that’s really not the issue,’’ Donovan said. “I’m sure it hurts him, so I don’t want to diminish that. It’s how well he can move and plant and cut with the pain. When he can’t do the things he typically can do for us, at the level he does it, he knows he can’t be productive. He doesn’t want to be a liability.’’
