Josh Giddey’s injury fears have been realised, with the star Australian guard set to miss “at least a few weeks”, per a report on Wednesday.
The Chicago Bulls’ primary ball-handler was forced out of Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota with a hamstring injury after innocuously pulling up lame in the third quarter.
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Giddey reached for his left hamstring after an inauspicious incident where he appeared to dribble up the court and make a routine pass.
And while there was initially thought to be a positive development with Giddey listed as out for Thursday’s clash with the New Orleans Pelicans with hamstring ‘tightness’ rather than an out-and-out strain, the latter has now been confirmed.
Leading ESPN NBA reporter Shams Charania tweeted on Wednesday: “Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey has sustained a left hamstring strain and will miss at least a few weeks, sources tell ESPN. Tough injury blow as Giddey has averaged 19.2 points, 9.0 assists and 8.9 rebounds.”
Giddey played just 18 minutes for 11 points on 3-10 shooting on Tuesday as Chicago fell by 35 points to the visiting Timberwolves, with star teammate Coby White also succumbing to injury in the blowout.
White (calf tightness) will also watch from the sidelines when the Bulls tackle the Pelicans, as will big man Zach Collins (toe sprain).
It’s an especially tough blow for Giddey, though, as the fifth-year pro had put himself well and truly in the frame for a maiden All-Star berth.
The Melburnian had finished 14th among Eastern Conference players in the first All-Star fan voting returns, with polling running through mid-January and an East reserve spot well within reach given his 2025 ascent.
That dream now looks unlikely, at least for this season.