Andre Drummond returns to the Chicago Bulls lineup after getting ‘very antsy’ recovering from a shoulder harm

Chicago Bulls middle Andre Drummond was desperate to return to the court docket for the primary time in six video games Wednesday in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The veteran middle missed almost two weeks with a left shoulder sprain, describing his days of mandated relaxation as an anxious ready interval earlier than he was cleared to return for the sport on the United Center.

“Everybody knows I don’t miss too many games in my career,” Drummond mentioned. “Six games in a row was a lot for me. I was getting very antsy, especially watching at home.”

Drummond returned to observe for the primary time in almost two weeks throughout shootaround, working by way of a number of four-on-four scrimmages to shut a virtually two-hour coaching session. He entered the sport in opposition to the Pelicans late within the first quarter and completed with two factors and 5 rebounds in the Bulls’ 115-111 loss.

Although he nonetheless was feeling discomfort, Drummond mentioned he felt assured in his shoulder heading into the sport.

“I feel pretty good,” Drummond mentioned. “I’m going to give it a try tonight, see how I feel. Still a little nicks and pains, but nothing I can’t tolerate.”

The sprain occurred Oct. 28 in opposition to the Spurs in San Antonio. Drummond drove into Spurs ahead Josh Collins within the third quarter, tumbling to the ground with a violent crash onto his left shoulder that allowed no time to brace himself for the affect.

At the time, Drummond tried to play by way of the ache, convincing coach Billy Donovan to place him again into the ultimate quarter of the sport.

“That’s pure adrenaline,” Drummond mentioned.

Pain set in shortly after the adrenaline pale. By the tip of the evening, Drummond mentioned he misplaced mobility in his shoulder and couldn’t elevate his arm over his head or perpendicular to his physique. The medical workers confined the middle to finish immobility to permit his shoulder to get better, which saved him from training or touring to video games.

“It was just stationary,” Drummond mentioned. “I couldn’t move it. It wasn’t a fun feeling. But we have a great staff here. They got me back a lot faster than I expected.”

Although it didn’t final so long as initially feared, Drummond’s absence was felt by the Bulls — particularly on the offensive glass. The Bulls dropped from averaging 11.7 offensive rebounds (eleventh within the league) to 9.8 (sixteenth) through the middle’s restoration. Drummond was averaging 10.2 rebounds per recreation.

But even with out their secondary large man, the Bulls began the season with an improved defensive presence. They entered Wednesday with the fifth-best defensive ranking (108.3) within the league by way of 12 video games regardless of a 6-6 document.

The defensive enchancment is centered on the group’s dedication to protection across the rim, limiting groups to solely 11.3 second-chance factors per recreation (third within the league) and 48 factors within the paint (14th) — which must be bolstered by Drummond’s return.

“Last year I wasn’t here but for them that was a big factor — a lot of offensive rebounds and a lot of blow-bys,” Drummond mentioned. “We took that personally throughout training camp and we’re showing it now.”

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