Wendell Carter Jr. injury: Bulls rookie likely to miss time with thumb issue

Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. is day-to-day with thumb injury

By Sun-Times staff

Wendell Carter Jr., pictured in the Bulls’ recent game against the Warriors, is believed to have torn a ligament in his thumb. | AP Photo/Ben Margot

The news was better than expected.

The Bulls announced that Wendell Carter Jr. does not have a ligament tear in his thumb, and he is listed as day-to-day.

Carter was believed to have suffered a ligament tear in his thumb that could have kept him out for several weeks. The rookie underwent an MRI on Wednesday after playing 28 minutes against the Lakers the night before.

Carter, the Bulls’ seventh overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, has started all 44 games so far for the Bulls this season, averaging 10.3 points and seven rebounds per game. The 6-10 center recorded six points and 10 rebounds in the Bulls’ 107-100 loss to the Lakers.

The rookie’s injury is the latest piece of bad news in a disheartening stretch for the Bulls, who have lost eight straight. Either Bobby Portis or Robin Lopez will likely replace Carter in the starting lineup against Denver on Thursday.

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