Valentine’s absence extended

So much for a moderately sprained left ankle.

That’s what the Bulls announced Denzel Valentine suffered in the first week of training camp, an injury that was supposed to sideline the third-year guard about two to three weeks.

Instead, Valentine suffered a setback when a Friday afternoon scan revealed he has a bone bruise on the surgically repaired ankle.

The Bulls now say Valentine, who had increased his activity this week as his return seemed imminent, will be reevaluated in two weeks.

“It’s frustrating, especially because it’s the start of the season, home opener,” Valentine said. “You just feel the energy. It just feels like I’m supposed to be out there. It sucks because I put a lot of work in this summer. And just being around the guys and everything, you want to be out there so bad.”

Valentine revealed he actually first tweaked the ankle playing pick-up just before camp started in late September.

This is Valentine's third significant sprained left ankle in three seasons. He missed 25 games to two separate sprains in his rookie season and then underwent surgery on the ankle in May 2017. He missed five games last season for a left knee scope.

“My ankle is actually feeling better,” Valentine said. “I don’t think it’s anything where I can’t walk or anything, so I’m still going to be able to do stuff. And I don’t think I’ll fall that far behind.

“I’m a fighter, not a quitter. I’m a winner so I just deal with the hand that’s dealt.

“I can’t sit here and be negative about it. I just have to fight, stay mentally strong, and this is going to be sweet when I come back and have a great year.”