Tank-minded Brooklyn Nets fans were handed yet another discouraging opponent injury report from the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. Josh Giddey — don’t snicker, he’s been their best player since All-Star Weekend, averaging 23/11/8 — was ruled out with a sprained ankle.
Just a fortnight ago, the Nets tied the Bulls (and Philadelphia 76ers) for 10th place in the East, the conference’s final Play-In Tournament spot. The teams have diverged since, with the Nets losing eight of nine and Chicago winning four of six, including three straight. Brooklyn has ping-pong balls, and the Bulls have the 10-seed.
Still, with Giddey out and all Nets besides Noah Clowney in, this one was destined to be a sweat.