Ben Gordon Returns to Chicago

Former Bulls guard Ben Gordon might not get a chance to stick it to his old team when her returns to the United Center Wednesday for the first time since leaving in free agency this summer.

Gordon, the Bulls’ leading scorer for 2008-09, signed a $55 million deal with the Detroit Pistons in the offseason. But the diminutive dynamo has a sprained ankle that may keep him out of the mix.

Prior to his ankle injury on Nov. 25 against the Cavs, Gordon was averaging 19.8 points per game with 44.3 percent shooting.

The banged-up Pistons have had starting forwards Richard Hamilton (right ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back) on the court for a combined four games this season. They’re record of 6-11 reflects their troubles.

But it’s not like the Bulls (6-9) are in any better shape.

They come home to the United Center after going 1-5 on their difficult circus road trip. And they just learned they'll be without Kirk Hinrich for a week or two with a sprained left thumb.