CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng missed Tuesday's game against Charlotte, three days after suffering a bruised right leg.
Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro announced an hour before tipoff that Deng would play, but be replaced in the starting lineup by newly acquired John Salmons. Then 45 minutes later, a team spokesman said Deng would not play at all.The Bulls on Saturday feared Deng may have suffered a season-ending stress fracture in a win over Houston. An MRI on Sunday showed just a bruised tibia.
Del Negro said Deng, who was shooting just 20-for-51 in the previous five games, would likely return to the starting lineup when he gets healthier. But Del Negro acknowledged Deng's struggles since Salmons was acquired from Sacramento two weeks ago.
"Since the trade his numbers haven't been as good, but defensively I think he's been a little bit better," Del Negro said. "He's been up and down a little bit, but we need him to be consistent. He knows that. But he's been putting the work in. When you bring new guys in, guys are going to have to adjust. He's probably still in that adjustment period."
The Bulls on Tuesday were without reserve forward Tim Thomas, who strained his left knee against the Rockets and said he was still sore.
"He's day-to-day," Del Negro said. "Hopefully he can get some more rest, get some therapy and get better soon."
