It’s not like the Bulls can’t win without Alex Caruso in the lineup — they’re .500 this season when the defensive-minded guard is in street clothes. But there’s no question he makes coach Billy Donovan’s life easier when he’s available.
Now it’s up to Donovan and the Bulls’ medical staff to keep a close watch on Caruso over the final five regular-season games to make sure his sprained left foot doesn’t become a bigger issue than it already is.
That’s what happened Wednesday against the Lakers, when Donovan didn’t like the way Caruso looked coming out of the locker room for the second half, so he quickly gave him the hook.
“Alex doesn’t complain,” Donovan said. “He doesn’t say anything. I can just tell, the way he’s moving. Alex will give everything he’s got. But he’s going to have to deal with this. It’s going to be an ongoing challenge for him the rest of the year. He tries to fight through it the best that he can.”
Caruso has been protected from contact in practices, as well as kept out of full scrimmaging, and basically is participating in 5-on-0 drills and putting shots up to make sure he keeps his rhythm, Donovan said. That will continue for the rest of the season, with only one more real schedule obstacle ahead — a back-to-back next week, when the Bulls host the Hawks on Tuesday before playing at Milwaukee on Wednesday. Back-to-backs have been rough on Caruso’s foot.
Donovan considers the situation a wait-and-see but hopes to have Caruso for both games, even if he’s playing limited minutes. Although Caruso averages just 5.6 points (10th on the team), his plus/minus entering Friday was a team-best plus-167. The next closest teammate was Coby White at plus-100, with Derrick Jones Jr. at plus-99.
Caruso, who had 10 points Friday in 21 minutes against the Hornets, especially dislikes missing games late in the season, when there’s so much on the line in the standings.
“You have to be willing to measure where you’re at any point in the year,” he said. “I’m a believer in that you have to have an idea of where you stand, what you’ve done, because sometimes that’s the carrot you need 40 games into a season, 50 games, when it’s getting tough to find it on that random night on the road or three in four nights. There’s no letting up at this point. That has to be our mentality.”
One-night absence
Reserve center Andre Drummond, who missed the Lakers game after announcing he was leaving all social-media platforms for mental health reasons, not only traveled with the Bulls to Charlotte but came off the bench and played Friday night, finishing with 11 rebounds.
