Bulls' Derrick Rose (ankle), Pau Gasol (calf) out Thursday vs. Kings
Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said point guard Derrick Rose and power forward Pau Gasol will miss Thursday's game against the Sacramento Kings, ESPN's Nick Friedell reports.
Rose, 26, injured his left hamstring last Thursday against the Toronto Raptors and has missed the team's past two games with the injury. He also missed time earlier this season after spraining both of his ankles. In five games this season, Rose is averaging 18.0 points, 5.4 assists and 2.8 rebounds.
Kirk Hinrich has started the last two games at point guard, scoring 14.5 points and handing out 6.0 assists. The Bulls are 4-2 in games Rose has missed this season.
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Gasol, 34, will miss his second straight game after injuring his left calf last Saturday against the Indiana Pacers. In his first season with the Bulls, he is averaging 18.6 points, 10.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.
Taj Gibson moved into the starting lineup on Monday against the Clippers and piled up 20 points, five rebounds, six assists, two blocks and a steal.
Chicago has opened the season 8-3 and is in second place in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls play at the Kings at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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- Paul Palladino
