After Saturday’s epic triple-overtime thriller at the United Center, any positive momentum from that game took a big hit on Monday when local outlets reported that Kirk Hinrich is officially “out” for Game 5 with a bruised left calf.
The Bulls starting point guard had an MRI which showed a severe enough bruise that the team revealed he could miss Game 5 and much more, should they move past the Brooklyn Nets.
"It's real disappointing. You never want to miss playoff games,” Hinrich said at the Bulls shootaround on Monday morning while sporting a walking boot. He believes the injury took place in the first half of Saturday’s game while taking a charge from Nets guard Deron Williams.
Tom Thibodeau wouldn't say who would start in Hinrich's place, but it would most likely be Nate Robinson who burned the Nets with 34 points in Game 5 and was the catalyst to the Bulls victory, giving the team a 3-1 lead in the series. According to the Tribune, since Jan. 1, the Bulls are 27-12 with Hinrich in the lineup, and 5-13 when he is sidelined.
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