Wendell Carter Jr. may need surgery on injured thumb after all

Share

From potentially bad to dodging a bullet to potentially bad again.

Wendell Carter's left thumb has been through a handful of diagnoses the past few days, and the latest update from Chicago Tribune Bulls reporter K.C. Johnson is that the 19-year-old rookie now may need surgery after all.

According to Johnson, a follow-up examination on Friday "revealed ligament damage that might require surgery."

An MRI on Wednesday in which the Bulls were reportedly fearing the worst allowed the Bulls a brief sigh of relief when the ligament was shown to be intact. But according to Johnson, Friday's examination showed something different, and it could mean an extended absence for the Bulls' starting center.

Carter missed his first career game Thursday's game against the Nuggets, and while he's likely out Saturday against the Heat, Johnson also reports that Carter is "considering his options, and it's not certain he'll need surgery or how long he'll be sidelined."

Bobby Portis replaced Carter on Thursday and struggled mightily in his first start since November, when he was filling in for an injured Lauri Markkanen. Portis had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds but shot just 4 of 13 in 28 minutes.

Carter would join the laundry list of Bulls players who have suffered significant injuries this season. Denzel Valentine, Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Markkanen and Portis have all had extended absences with various injuries. It looks like Carter might be the next one added to that list for the 10-35 Bulls.

Contact Us