As if the Chicago Bulls season needed another curveball, they got one from forward Nikola Mirotic.
The team announced on Wednesday that Mirotic is expected to be out until after the All-Star break due to acute appendicitis, per Marc Stein of ESPN.
Bulls just announced that Nikola Mirotic is out until after the All-Star break due to acute appendicitis
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) January 27, 2016
The Bulls also said that a successful appendectomy has been performed on the Montenegrin.
Mirotic, 24, is averaging 10.6 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game on 38.6 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from deep. The sophomore slump has been a real issue for him as his starter’s minutes have exposed his one-dimensional offensive game, substandard defense, and inconsistent jump-shooting stroke.
Nevertheless, the Bulls offense is arguably at its most dangerous when Mirotic’s shot is falling, particularly given the spacing he provides at the power forward position.
What was once a bumper-to-bumper frontcourt in Chicago has now been uncluttered by the injuries to Mirotic and Joakim Noah. Now, the Bulls can ill afford to trade one of their remaining bigs, so expect them to ride out the year with Pau Gasol and Taj Gibson (both of whom were dogged by trade speculation this winter). The silver lining is that high-upside rookie Bobby Portis is now in line for some heavy run at the 4 as well.
Image Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
