BOSTON _ The Bulls' good fortune on the injury front didn't even last 2 { games.
An MRI exam on Michael Carter-Williams revealed a bone bruise in his left knee and no ligament damage. The Bulls said the injury will sideline the reserve guard for four to six weeks. Carter-Williams also suffered a sprained left wrist on the play, which occurred when he landed awkwardly while trying to guard Sean Kilpatrick early in the second quarter of Monday's victory over the Nets.
"He just kind of got his leg caught a little bit, a little bit of a hyperextension," coach Fred Hoiberg said.
If Carter-Williams is out four weeks, he would miss 13 games; if it's six, that number climbs to 20. The injury will mean an increased reserve role for Isaiah Canaan and possibly first-round pick Denzel Valentine. Jerian Grant also likely will be activated.
Also, Hoiberg said Doug McDermott entered the league's concussion protocol late Monday after taking some blows to his head. McDermott didn't practice Tuesday. But the Bulls are hopeful he will be cleared for Wednesday night to play against the Celtics, who are expected to return Marcus Smart from injury but could lose Avery Bradley to a sore shoulder.
"He was a little groggy (Monday) night," Hoiberg said of McDermott. "We had him see the Brooklyn (Nets) doctor. He was asymptomatic when he got to the (Boston hotel Monday) night. That's when the 24 hours starts. So as long as he's asymptomatic and passes the necessary steps, he would be available to go."
