Chicago Bulls rookie Daniel Gafford will miss the next 2-4 weeks after suffering a dislocated right thumb with a laceration Wednesday night against the Washington Wizards, the team announced.
Gafford appeared to hurt his thumb after securing a rebound early in the first quarter of the 115-106 win. The second-round pick called a timeout after the play and immediately ran back to the locker room for evaluation.
The team said X-rays were negative on his thumb.
Gafford logged just 1:21 of playing time prior to leaving with the injury. He recorded two points, one rebound and one steal in the contest after earning his fourth consecutive start for the Bulls.
Not good. Daniel Gafford to the locker room after this. pic.twitter.com/kLoU34A8Qz
— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) January 16, 2020
The injury to Gafford comes just as the rookie began to see consistent playing time with the Bulls. Gafford averaged 8.7 points, four rebounds, 1.3 blocks and one steal in his previous three starts before leaving early on Wednesday night.
Gafford has established himself as a consistent lob threat for the Bulls down low given his athleticism. He ranks second among all rookies in blocks with 42 and he recently became the third Bulls player in team history to record 40 blocks in his first 30 games.
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