Luol Deng Lost 15 Pounds Due to Recent Illness

Apr 22, 2013; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Chicago Bulls small forward Luol Deng (9) goes up for a shot against the Brooklyn Nets during game two in the first round of the 2013 NBA playoffs at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bulls have been banged up all season long, but no injury or absence was more terrifying than that of Luol Deng. After suffering through a back injury and headaches, Deng checked himself into a hospital, underwent a spinal tap and proceeded to get so sick that he lost 15 pounds and couldn’t muster the strength to walk.

Deng says he is still very weak. He's not able to do much. He sounds very doubtful for Game 3 and doubtful for at least next few days
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) May 9, 2013

There are injuries and then there’s what’s happening to Luol Deng. Obviously, as pointed out by Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago, Deng likely won’t be able to play in Game 3 this Friday night when the Miami Heat come into the United Center.

But at this point, just seeing Deng healthy again will be a win for the Bulls and their fans. Deng was a monster in the Bulls frontcourt this season, as he usually is, and made a trip to the All-Star game because of it. But while the current illness is keeping him out, Deng admitted that he turned in an All-Star worthy season while also battling through a fractured thumb.

So while it may seem surprising that the Bulls grabbed a game from the Heat in Miami without Derrick Rose and without Luol Deng, it’s clear that they have warriors on this team that will go to battle unless they’re literally confined to a hospital bed. We’re unfortunately seeing what happens when all that catches up with them in the very serious case of Luol Deng.

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