Deng Injury Could Cost Bulls

Saying that injuries have played a part in the Bulls' futility and inconsistency this season is a lot like saying that it was a sort of bad winter for Chicago -- a gross understatement. Now, the Bulls face another test as the news came that Luol Deng is out, possibly for the rest of the season, due to a stress fracture in his right leg. The Bulls will have to spend the rest of the season much as they did earlier this season, trying to plug holes on defense while also trying to bring together some sort of offense.

Over the season, Deng has been a valuable part of the Bulls' starting five, turning in 14 points and six boards a night. He missed games earlier this season, an eight-game and three game stretch, where the Bulls went 4-7. The stress fracture is the latest of Deng's issues, as he also had a scare earlier this month over a wrist bruise.

Deng's injury comes at a time when the Bulls are actually still in the playoff hunt. They are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference, just one spot out of the running. Their schedule is fairly easy through the rest of the season, so the playoffs are not out of reach. The recent additions to the the team may be able to help the Bulls over the hump, but the injuries that have plagued the team, and made Kirk Hinrich and former Bull Drew Gooden miss so many games, are rearing their head again as Deng will be on the bench in street clothes.

Without Deng, a lynch pin to their defense and a player who routinely turns in at least 34 minutes per game, the road to the postseason will be a bit more bumpy.