Bulls see the training room get more crowded as season comes to an end

The Chicago Bulls have been dealing with a number of injuries as the NBA regular season draws to a close. In their game against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, two key players, guard Ayo Dosunmu and center Andre Drummond, were both sidelined due to injuries.

Dosunmu, who was selected 38th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, suffered a right quadriceps contusion during practice earlier in the week. The injury occurred during a non-contact drill, and he was unable to play against the Pistons. Quadriceps contusions are common in basketball, occurring when a player is hit directly in the thigh area, causing bruising and swelling. The recovery time for such injuries can vary, but typically takes several days to a week.

Drummond, who was acquired by the Bulls in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers in March, sustained a left ankle sprain during the team's game against the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday. Ankle sprains are also common in basketball, occurring when a player twists or rolls their ankle, causing damage to the ligaments. The severity of an ankle sprain can range from mild to severe, with recovery time also varying depending on the extent of the injury.

Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has expressed frustration over the number of injuries his team has faced this season, stating several times that he feels handicapped by having "$70 million not playing." With the addition of Dosunmu and Drummond's injuries, that figure is now estimated to be at least $80 million.

There are growing concerns that both players could miss the Bulls' final two regular-season games against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday and the Washington Wizards on Monday. If they do miss these games, they could also be at risk of missing the play-in game against the Atlanta Hawks, which will determine the seventh and eighth seeds in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Bulls currently sit in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings, just one game behind the Hawks, making every game crucial in their quest for a playoff spot. The team will be hoping for a speedy recovery for both Dosunmu and Drummond, but in the meantime, they will need to rely on their other players to step up and fill the void left by their injured teammates.