Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich will miss Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau told ESPN Chicago Friday morning. The Bulls currently hold a tie with the reigning champion Miami Heat and lost 115-78 in Game 2.
Rose hasn't played since tearing his left ACL during the first round of the 2012 NBA Playoffs. He underwent surgery on May 12.
While the former MVP hasn't played a single minute this season, he hasn't completely ruled out a return and has maintained he would be willing to make his debut during the postseason, but a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson that the decision to allow him to return would have to be cleared by Bulls management, including chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Rose has been cleared to practice with the team and has taken part in pregame warm-ups on occasion.
Hinrich underwent a second MRI on his bruised left calf Thursday. "It basically showed the same as the initial one," Thibodeau said. "It improved some, but he's got to keep working at it.
"He's in a holding pattern. He did a little bit more on the bike, a little bit better [Friday], but he still has a ways to go."
Deng spoke to the media Thursday for the first time since undergoing a spinal tap to test for spinal meningitis. He has been in and out of the hospital and said he's lost about 15 pounts due to the flu and complications from the spinal tap. He admitted he was scared about his initial illness and acknowledged he isn't sure what the timetable for his return will be.
"It's hard, man," Deng said of having to sit out. "We've had a long season. I've played with a lot of injuries. I've went through the wrist [injury] with torn ligaments. I had a fractured thumb, I played with it. I just went through all that to be able to play. I just didn't think something besides an injury would keep me out, and that's what makes it really hard. I don't know what you can do."
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