Bulls Bracing to be Without Alex Caruso for Must-Win Game vs Heat, per Report

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly bracing for the possibility of being without star guard Alex Caruso in Friday night's play-in elimination game against the Miami Heat, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Caruso has a "significant" left ankle sprain, which has put his status in doubt. Hawks center Andre Drummond stepped on Caruso's foot during Wednesday night's contest that saw the Bulls eliminate Atlanta in a 131-116 victory.

Friday night's elimination game for the No. 8 seed in the East could be a rockfight featuring two desperate teams playing without their star players. The Heat will likely be without Jimmy Butler, who suffered an MCL injury in Wednesday's loss to the 76ers.

If Caruso now also misses Friday's game, it will be a tilt decided by the supporting casts of both clubs.

Caruso averaged 10.1 points on 46.8% shooting from the floor and 40.8% shooting from three, while providing All-NBA level defense for the Bulls.

The winner of Chicago and Miami will face Boston in the first round of the playoffs, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday at TD Garden.