Chicago Bulls Face Setback with Anfernee Simons Injury
The Chicago Bulls are facing a challenging setback as new recruit Anfernee Simons will be sidelined for an unspecified duration due to a wrist injury. Recent medical examinations revealed that Simons has further damaged an existing fracture in his left wrist, a situation that emerged during the Bulls’ recent defeat against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, where they lost 126-110.
Details of the Injury
In the early stages of the game, Simons exited with what was initially diagnosed as a sprain, leading to his absence for the remainder of the match. However, subsequent imaging uncovered the aggravation of a previous injury he sustained while playing for the Boston Celtics. Head coach Billy Donovan clarified this by noting that specialists believe the fracture had not fully healed and suggested that once the pain subsides, Simons could potentially return to action.
Reflecting on a similar incident from his past, Donovan mentioned that Simons dealt with a similar issue during training camp in Boston, which required about a week to ten days for recovery.
Simons’ Career and Impact on the Team
Simons, now in his eighth season in the NBA, joined the Bulls after being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he was initially picked 24th overall in the 2018 draft. This month, he was part of a trade deal sending center Nikola Vučević to Portland. Since arriving in Chicago, Simons has made appearances in six games and has averaged 15.2 points along with three assists.
Team Performance and Future Outlook
As the Bulls prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, they are struggling with a disappointing 24-34 record, having lost 12 of their last 13 games, including a nine-game losing streak. The team currently occupies the 12th spot in the Eastern Conference and is on track to potentially miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, with only 23 games remaining in the season.
