Chicago Bulls: Kris Dunn out of the lineup indefinitely
Chicago Bulls point guard Kris Dunn will be out indefinitely following a concussion he sustained in the team’s 119-112 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Things were starting to look up for Chicago Bulls second-year point guard Kris Dunn. After missing the first four games of the season due to an index finger injury, he eventually accomplished what he was expected to do – take over the reins at the lead guard position.
On the heels of a dismal rookie campaign with the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2016-17, Dunn has been a different player, to say the least. For starters, he has more than tripled his scoring output from last season, averaging 13.7 points per contest.
Furthermore, Dunn’s shooting efficiency (43.3 percent overall and 32.4 from 3-point range) has improved, along with his assists (6.4 per game) and rebounding (4.6 per game) as well. Unfortunately, the KD train was derailed in the Bulls’ recent loss to the Golden State Warriors.
With the outcome of the game still in doubt, the Bulls forced a turnover and Dunn finished the play with a breakaway dunk, cutting the deficit to five points with just under three minutes left in regulation. However, Dunn landed awkwardly and his face slammed into the court.
There was some optimism at first as the initial diagnosis was Dunn had dislocated two front teeth. As it turns out, the news was much worse than that.
Following further evaluation, it was determined that Dunn would have to enter the league’s concussion protocol and will be out of the lineup indefinitely.
INJURY UPDATE: After further evaluation, Kris Dunn’s two dislocated front teeth were stabilized & have been splinted with braces. He was also re-evaluated for concussion symptoms & has been placed in the NBA Concussion Protocol. Dunn is out indefinitely related to the concussion. pic.twitter.com/3crAEvY33s
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 18, 2018
What does this recent development mean for the Bulls going forward?
Well, for starters, Dunn will not accompany the team on the upcoming three-game road trip that begins with an afternoon game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
In regards to who will fill the void created by Dunn’s absence, the Bulls have a few different options to consider. The obvious choice is Jerian Grant, considering he held down the starting position before Dunn emerged as the better choice.
Early on, Grant played well in the starting role, averaging 9.1 points per contest on 44.3 percent shooting overall and 43.8 percent from downtown. Since that time, though, Grant’s productions has slipped somewhat.
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In fact, during the month of January, Grant is averaging a pedestrian four points per contest on shooting splits of .261/.063/.688, which has led to reports about the Bulls supposedly wanting to part ways with the third-year guard. Until that time comes (if it comes), look for Grant to have a more prominent role within the offense.
Another player who could possibly fill in at the point guard spot is Denzel Valentine, who excelled in the playmaking role during his senior year at Michigan State. Also, being that Valentine played reasonably well when he was in the starting lineup earlier this season (9.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per outing); he could certainly be a viable option for head coach Fred Hoiberg.
Zach LaVine – who is just three games into his 2017-18 season – may also see some minutes at the point guard spot, taking into consideration that he played the position during his rookie season with the Timberwolves during the 2014-15 campaign.
Regardless of which player Hoiberg decides to use, this injury comes at a bad time for two reasons: 1) The Bulls were starting to turn their season around, going 14-8 after a miserable 3-20 start and Dunn contributed to that success. 2) Once again, Hoiberg will be forced to tinker with the roster, something he’s had to do to some extent in each year of his tenure with the Bulls.
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Here’s to hoping Dunn won’t be out of the mix too long and that it won’t take him too long to return to the level of play that has earned him the label “point guard of the future.”