The Chicago Bulls are off to a rough start in 2022-23, both on and off the court. Injuries have played a big role in a team that has a 15-19 record this season and is tenth in the Eastern Conference. On top of that, there have been numerous reports of an on-court disconnect between Zach LaVine and other star players like DeMar DeRozan. One positive for Chicago is that a key player off the bench is set to return to the lineup tonight.
Bulls SG Alex Caruso is set to return to the lineup tonight after recovering from a concussion and shoulder sprain. In Chicago’s 12/21 game against the Hawks, Caruso collided hard with a player against the Hawks, causing impact to the head and neck area. That put him in concussion protocol.
He may not be the difference between winning and losing every game for Chicago, but Caruso is a player who understands his role and does it well. The NBA champion makes his living on the defensive end and that’s where he shined most of his career. Caruso leads the team in rebounds (1.6) per game. Illinois sports betting sites have the Bulls at (+20000) to win the playoffs this season.
Alex Caruso has a right shoulder strain and will not return tonight. pic.twitter.com/J5cG8nUPuY
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 22, 2022
Alex Caruso is set to return to the Bulls after a three-game absence.
Caruso cleared the dispute protocol on Wednesday. When asked by the media, Caruso initially didn’t think he had a concussion after being hit in the head and neck by the Hawks in the second quarter.
“Nah”… “I was trying to figure out who hit me, what knocked me out. Because I literally thought I had the ball in my hand, I was getting ready to steal, and I got hit. – Alex Caruso
He said his right side was injured at the time of the attack and he did not notice anything wrong. Caruso suffered a fractured right shoulder in the collision, but not enough to stop him from returning to the lineup. The 28-year-old described the shock as “mild” given his previous experiences. The medical staff prioritized his safety and appreciated their decision.
After a bit of a tussle with the rest of the rotation in the squad yesterday, Caruso felt he was good enough to go and his shoulder wasn’t holding him back. He is a fierce competitor and wants to get back on the court to help his team win.
