NEW YORKIf you ask Taj Gibson, he wont miss Friday nights showdown against the Knicks in his hometown of New York, due to a right-ankle injury suffered in Tuesday nights home win over the Celtics.
However, according to Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau, while the reserve big man is getting better, hes a game-time decision.
Gibson didnt participate in Thursdays practice at the Berto Center, but believes hell be able to suit up at Madison Square Garden, which doubles as Thibodeaus old stomping grounds from his days as an assistant coach in New York.
Im going to play. Ill be fine. Just been getting treatment twice a day. Just trying to stay ready and be ready for tonight, Gibson said before the Bulls morning shootaround on the arena floor. Ive been through this already, especially last year in the playoffs. I dealt with it and Thibs, and the training staff know the way I am. If I can go at least at 70 percent or whatever, Im still going to play. Its all about if you play through the pain. If Im injured, Im not going to play, but I feel Ill be okay.
Gibson injured the same ankle in the teams first-round playoff series loss to the 76ers in May and claimed that he re-aggravated the injury Tuesday.