Miami, FL – Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau has ruled out forward Luol Deng for Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series against the Miami Heat.
Deng underwent a spinal tap last week to rule out meningitis and has been sidelined since. However, complications from the procedure forced further hospitalization.
The 28-year-old Deng reportedly returned to a Chicago emergency room Sunday morning after being released from the hospital Saturday afternoon. Thus, he was unable to fly with the team to Miami on Sunday.
Thibodeau is hopeful that Deng will join the team in Miami on Tuesday.
Deng sat out Games 6 and 7 against the Brooklyn Nets in the first round. In the first five games of that series, Deng averaged 13.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
The Bulls will also be without guard Kirk Hinrich on Monday. He missed the last three games of Chicago's first-round series with a calf injury.
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