Chicago Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich is in a walking boot and will not play in Game 5 against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night as the Bulls look to advance to the second round.
Kirk Hinrich injury: Bulls’ PG won’t play in Game 5 vs. Nets
After playing 60 minutes in Game 4, Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich was wearing a walking boot on his left foot Monday and won’t play in Game 5 due to a calf injury.
Hinrich had been listed as questionable with a calf injury after playing 60 minutes in the Bulls’ 142-134 triple-overtime victory in Game 4. But the point guard showed up to shoot around on Monday morning with the boot on his left foot, saying he could barely walk without it. An MRI revealed no tear in the calf, but Hinrich could miss the rest of the series.
Hinrich scored 18 points and had 14 assists in the Game 4 thriller, and he has generally played really well against the Nets after struggling in Game 1. In addition to scoring in double figures three games in a row, Hinrich has pestered Deron Williams into a rough shooting series.
Injuries have been no stranger to Hinrich this season, as he missed 22 games in the regular season with a variety of problems. The Bulls often missed Hinrich’s presence in the lineup, going 5-13 without him since Jan. 1.
With Hinrich out, Nate Robinson -- the hero of Game 4 -- would likely get the start at point guard. However, Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau could go outside the box, inserting Marco Belinelli into the lineup, which would allow Jimmy Butler to check Williams while Belinelli could guard Joe Johnson. Robinson would then remain in the preferred role as the spark off the bench.
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