Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Bulls Receive Crushing Nikola Vucevic Injury Update

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Dec 27, 2023 2:59 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls will be without center Nikola Vucevic for the next week or so.

Vucevic is dealing with a groin strain.

Expected timetable for Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic with groin strain: At least next 7 to 10 days, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Bulls have won nine of 13 games, including Tuesday minus Vucevic, who has averaged 19 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists over his last 10. pic.twitter.com/8k2z1wX2N6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 27, 2023

Billy Donovan also said Nikola Vucevic is "progressing and feels better today than he did yesterday." There is still no definitive timeline, although it's almost certain Vucevic will miss remainder of homestand. The 7-10 day timeline cited last night is the hope for now.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 27, 2023

“A lot of it is going to be how he responds to rehab,” Bulls head coach Billy Donovan told reporters. “He obviously was pretty sore after [Saturday’s] game and obviously over Christmas.”

Vucevic is averaging 16.7 points, 10.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Bulls this season. The two-time All-Star is shooting 45.2% from the field, 28.1% from beyond the arc and 87.5% from the free-throw line.

The Bulls signed Vucevic to a three-year, $60 million extension in June. The former Orlando Magic star is making $18.5 million this season.

Vucevic has 17 double-doubles in 31 games this season. The Bulls are 13-18 when the big man is in the lineup.

The 33-year-old Vucevic has career averages of 17.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists with the Magic and Bulls. Chicago acquired the Morges native from Orlando in March 2021.

A few weeks ago, the Bulls were a walking disaster. However, they have turned things around and are now 14-18 on the season, good for 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. It will be intriguing to see if the Bulls can continue to win games with both Vucevic and All-Star shooting guard Zach LaVine sidelined.

Andre Drummond started for Vucevic last night against the Atlanta Hawks and had a vintage performance. The center put up 24 points and 25 rebounds in 38 minutes while shooting 11-of-13 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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