Sprained wrist keeps Rondo out; return uncertain
PHILADELPHIA — Bulls guard Rajon Rondo wasn’t about making promises or playing trainer Thursday.
‘‘ When I can still make an impact on the game is when I’ll play again,’’ Rondo said. ‘‘ Everything happens for a reason. Control what you can control. That’s how life is.’’
So much for a definite timetable for his return.
Rondo, who injured his right wrist Tuesday against the Knicks, hoped to return against the 76ers until an MRI exam revealed the wrist was sprained and he would have to sit out. With only three regular- season games left, he couldn’t say for sure when he would be back.
‘‘ Just taking it one hour at a time,’’ Rondo said before the Bulls’ 102- 90 victory. ‘‘ It’s a ligament that’s kind of not in the right place right now. It’s causing it to pop a little bit.’’
‘‘ A lot of it is based on feel,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said. ‘‘ With Rajon, he’s got the ball in his hands, flinging passes, [ and] there’s still some soreness with all those movements.’’
Jerian Grant started in Rondo’s absence and scored 15 points, but Jimmy Butler handled most of the point- guard duties and finished with 10 assists.
‘‘ It hurts; it’s painful,’’ Rondo said. ‘‘ It’s my dominant hand. So just taking it a day at a time.’’
Wade update
The Bulls decided to give injured guard Dwyane Wade a day of rest instead of getting him a workout during their shootaround.
Wade, who has missed 11 games since fracturing his right elbow March 15, participated in practice Wednesday and had general soreness when he woke up Thursday.
The Bulls plan for Wade to practice Friday before making a decision about whether he will return Saturday against the Nets.
‘‘ It’s easier when [ Wade is] out there,’’ Butler said. ‘‘ He makes my job a lot easier, as well as everybody else’s.’’
Mental game
Butler never has minded being a heavy- minutes guy — he entered the game against the 76ers ranked fourth in the league at 37.1 minutes a game — but he has been playing with an injured left hand through the second half of the season, not to mention other small dings to his body.
‘‘ I don’t think anybody cares if I’m nicked up, if I’m hurt,’’ Butler said. ‘‘ Nicked up or not, everybody is at this point and time in the season. The really good players deal with it and go out there and win games.’’
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