Andre Drummond suffered the injury during a hard-fought game between the Chicago Bulls and the Portland Trail Blazers, requiring quick medical attention.
With around three minutes left in regulation, the Bulls' big man took an elbow from Blazers center Duop Reap during a rebound battle. Andre was suffering some pain after that hit but remained in the game.
Drummond immediately headed to the locker room upon the play stoppage. He still made a return back to the Bulls bench, but his night ended with 9 points and 11 rebounds as it was determined that his front tooth got accidentally chipped out by Reap.
Andre to undergo dental treatment
Addressing the media in his postgame availability of their 110-107 win, Donovan confirmed that Andre has endured a chipped tooth, which the Chicago Center will address accordingly upon dental consultation.
“I don't know. I may have to, but I don't want to guess,” Donovan said of Drummond’s tooth issue. “But I think he may have to get it taken out or may have to get fixed. He's got to do something to it. I know that.
“I didn't ask him how it happened. I don't know what happened but it's his tooth and he's got to get it fixed. Whatever that means, I'm not sure.”
Hoping for a quick recovery from the Bulls' big
Drummond was unavailable to speak in front of the media, but Drew Stevens of The Bigs reported that the veteran big was seen smiling and in good spirits within the team's locker room — perhaps a positive sign that he is well and fine amid his latest injury.
The Bulls can't afford to see another key player out because they have a short rotation to various injuries. The former All-Star has been a reliable presence down low as a reserve unit, and he also highlights coach Donovan's occasional big man lineups with Nikola Vucevic as his frontcourt partner.
We can only hope for a rapid recovery in Andre's impending tooth treatment.
More must-reads: