New Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey said he tore an ankle ligament playing for Australia at the Paris Olympics but expects to start the season on time.
Speaking during the Bulls’ media day on Monday, Giddey said the injury to his anterior talofibular ligament occurred during Australia’s final Olympic game and ended up being more serious than initially believed.
“I’ll be fine,” Giddey said when asked about playing in the Bulls’ Oct. 23 season opener on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans.
In fact, Giddey said if it were the playoffs, he could play right now, though he’ll have a slow ramp-up into training camp.
A healthy start to the season is paramount as the Bulls look to push their tempo this season.
“We started courting with 14-second shot clocks to emphasize the pace we want to play,” Giddey said Monday. “Once it becomes a habit, this team is going to be pretty scary in the open court.”
Giddey, who won’t turn 22 until Oct. 10, was acquired by the Bulls on June 21 from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Alex Caruso. Chicago also received a business exception.
In three NBA seasons, 6-foot-8 Giddey averaged 13.9 points per game with 7.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 210 games, all starts. He was the number 6 selection in the 2021 NBA draft by the Thunder.
