Chicago Bulls rookie center Wendell Carter Jr. is expected to be out 8 to 12 weeks after having surgery Monday to repair the ulnar collateral ligament of his left thumb.
Carter Jr., taken by the Bulls with the No. 7 pick in last year's draft, was averaging 10.3 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 blocks. With high-IQ play and defensive potential, he had been a rare bright spot for the team in an otherwise dismal season.