2 min read • February 09, 2022
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The Bulls placed standout rookie Ayo Dosunmu in concussion protocol on Tuesday, ruling him out for their Wednesday night bout with the Hornets.
The 22-year-old appeared to suffer 2 separate potential head injuries in Chicago's game against the 76ers on Sunday night, as discovered by NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson.
After reviewing the 2 videos, our team of ProBasketballDocs anticipate a multi-game absence for Dosunmu that will likely keep him out until the All-Star break.
The rookie first hit the back of his head against the basket stanchion after a breakaway dunk with 7:22 left in the 2nd quarter. Later in the game, with 2:10 left in the 4th quarter Dosunmu clanked heads with teammate Matt Thomas while chasing a loose ball.
The initial injury was more violent and appears more significant, but the repeat impact likely exacerbated the problem.
Despite the apparent concussion on Sunday, Dosunmu played Monday against the Suns but was clearly limited, scoring 2 points with 2 rebounds on 1-7 shooting in the three-point loss.
Head coach Billy Donovan told reporters Wednesday that Dosunmu was checked after the 76ers game and was cleared medically. Donovan said Dosunmu showed concussion symptoms on Tuesday morning after the Suns' game and was placed in concussion protocol.
This is yet another notable injury for 33-21 Chicago as the Bulls fight to stay in top playoff position in the crowded Eastern Conference.
Since an embarrassing 138-112 loss to the Nets on Jan. 12, the Bulls are 6-10 and have lost key 2-way wings Derrick Jones Jr., Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso for 6-or-more weeks. This comes with promising sophomore forward Patrick Williams still out after undergoing surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right wrist in November.
Before the game on Sunday, Dosunmu was averaging 12.8 points, 7.3 assists, and 1.3 steals on .550/.442/.824 shooting splits over the 12 games since replacing Lonzo Ball as starting point guard.
Along with stalwarts Zach Lavine and DeMar DeRozan, Coby White and Matt Thomas will be asked to step in. Thomas
Chicago will face a light schedule as they close the first half of the season, facing the Hornets, Timberwolves, Thunder, Spurs and Kings, with the only road contest coming Feb. 9 in Charlotte.
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