When the Chicago Bulls face the Sacramento Kings Thursday night at Sleep Train Arena, they’ll do so without injured stars Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol.
More from Chicago Bulls
- NBA Rumors: Warriors, Lakers among contenders for key free agent
- 3 players Bulls can sign with Disabled Player Exception
- NBA free agency: The 3 biggest losers in this offseason so far
- The new NBA flopping rules explained
- 5 players Sixers could acquire in Harden deal to stay competitive
Derrick Rose will miss his third straight game with a hamstring injury and Pau Gasol will be out for a second straight contest with a calf strain.
Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Thursday morning before the team’s shootaround at Sleep Train Arena, where the Bulls play the Sacramento Kings Thursday night, that the team will be light two of its stars.
"“[They’re] just not ready,” Thibodeau said, per ESPN Chicago."
Rose hurt his hamstring a week ago in a win over the Toronto Raptors and have played in just five of Chicago’s 11 games this season.
Gasol strained his calf In Saturday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers.
"“I didn’t feel a pop,” Gasol said. “It just started bothering me. It started being sore. I was hoping I got hit but I couldn’t recall getting hit.“So then you had to figure it was a muscle strain and strains usually take their time to heal and scar.”"
Rose is averaging 18 points, 5.4 assists, 2.8 rebounds and a steal in 28 minutes per game in the five games he’s played, shooting .433/.292/.833 as he saves himself for life after basketball continues to come back from serious knee injuries that cost him most of the last two seasons.
Gasol is averaging 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.9 assists in 34.8 minutes per game in his 10 games, shooting .487/0-for-2/.784 in his first season with Chicago after signing as a free agent over the summer.
The Bulls are 8-3, one game behind the Raptors in the Eastern Conference, and are 6-0 on the road—the NBA’s lone unbeaten team away from home.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return