CLEVELAND _ Despite Kris Dunn experiencing throbbing and soreness after practicing fully on Monday, Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said it's possible the guard could return from the open dislocation of his left index finger by Thursday.
"I don't want to give anybody a direct answer right now," Dunn said when asked if he has a target date for his return. "Hopefully one day I wake up and I don't feel nothing and I go out there and play."
Whenever Dunn does return from the injury he suffered on Oct. 6, Hoiberg said it will be off the bench. But that's just initially.
Expect the point guard competition between Dunn and Jerian Grant to begin anew.
"I'm not trying to come back and just go for the starting spot," Dunn said.
"I want to come back and try to feel comfortable, try to get my rhythm that I had going in the preseason, try to get confidence, try to help my team get wins."
But doesn't Dunn want to start ultimately?
"Eventually, that's the goal," he said.
Grant moved in and out of the starting lineup last season. That's when the point guard position proved a revolving door. Rajon Rondo, Michael Carter-Williams, Isaiah Canaan and Grant all took a spin.
"I think I've done all right. I think I can do a lot better," Grant said. "Obviously last game, four turnovers is four too many. Just keeping up the pace. (Hoiberg) told me I started off the game well, but then it dies down. So just keeping up the pace the way he wants it.
"Every game I've got to go out there and fight for my position. I've got to be able to lead this team because this year the point guard has a lot of responsibility."
