PORTLAND – Patrick Williams played in all 82 games last season. Counting the two play-in games, make that 84.
The Bulls forward is getting a daily reminder of just how special that accomplishment was.
After missing three games so far this season with discomfort in his right ankle, Williams was in a walking boot on Sunday, dealing with a new injury in his left foot.
Enough of a concern that a doctor in Los Angeles told Williams that he needed to get further imaging when the team returns to Chicago on Monday afternoon.
“It’s something that’s kind of bothered him but he’s been able to play through it,” coach Billy Donovan said of the latest setback to Williams. “He’s been dealing with it but it’s nothing that’s prevented him from playing. But I think it got to a point after the Laker game (Thursday) that he was having a lot of discomfort there, so he ended up going to see a doctor out in LA and they just recommended keeping his foot immobilized for right now.
“The biggest thing we’ve got to do is bring him back to Chicago and there will be a lot more imaging just to see where he’s at.”
He might not be done missing games, either.
This is a quick turnaround for the Bulls, especially since they aren’t flying out until Monday. They then host Toronto on Tuesday and have a back-to-back in Charlotte the following night.
There’s a good chance that Williams will have missed at least six games by late next week.
“It’s definitely something you don’t take for granted,” Williams said of his perfect attendance being ruined this year. “It’s a lot of luck that has to be involved in it to do that (last season). A lot of routine work and maintenance work and luck too as well. Good luck, bad luck, whatever the case may be. I’m here now. I’m trying to do everything I can to make sure I feel as close to 100 percent as possible.”
If there was a bit of good news in the latest setback for Williams, however, it was that he himself didn’t sound overly concerned.
That’s why the idea of wearing the boot didn’t sit well with him.
“Naturally, I’d consider, ‘Hell no.’ I know what it looks like to wear a boot,” Williams said. “You never want to just have to wear one of those. But they spoke to me about the benefit of wearing it and kind of deloading it for a couple days.”
The Craig front
Torrey Craig hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 18, dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. And while it was expected to be an injury that could sideline the veteran forward up to two months, there was some progress on the West Coast trip.
According to Donovan, Craig went through his first non-contact practice on Saturday, and came out with no setbacks.
“He’s running, he’s cutting,” Donovan said. “He’s definitely progressing and getting better.”
The good news for Craig is after the back-to-back, the Bulls play just one game in five days, so that means plenty of practice time for him to try and get reacclimated.
Captain America
Alex Caruso was chosen to be in the 40-player pool for Team USA and the Olympics this summer, and made it clear that he will have a very simple approach if he makes the team.
“The reason I’m selected in the 40-player player pool is because of the things I do well,” Caruso said. “I don’t need to try and be anybody that I’m not.”
