May 25 4:51 PM EDT

Injury Update: Bull’s Center Omer Asik Is Out For The Season With Leg Injury

Omer Asik will miss the remainder of the playoffs with a fractured left fibula, which will NOT require surgery but is expected to sideline the rookie center for 6 weeks.

Asik suffered the injury during the third quarter of Sunday’s Game 3. Team physician Brian Cole’s diagnosis was confirmed via MRI and CT scan before Game 4, which Asik played in for 1 minute, 53 seconds before experiencing “recurrent discomfort and a loss of function.” Asik exited for good at the 11:02 mark of the second quarter.

Asik’s status for Game 4 against the Miami Heat on Tuesday had been in question because of what was initially described as a muscle strain in his lower left leg.

Asik was a game-time decision, but briefly played in Game 4 with 55.2 seconds left in the first quarter, promptly fouled LeBron James and had James land on his leg in the process. Asik walked towards the bench, but then played only 58 seconds in the second quarter before finally retreating to the locker room for the night.

Although Asik is obviously done for the season, his status on the Chicago Bull’s roster should be fine for next season. “Omer is going to be great,” Luol Deng believes. Asik’s defensive presence guarantees him minutes off the bench in 2011-12, but his raw offensive game means little fantasy impact.

May 24 12:29 AM EDT

NBA Injury: Omer Asik Listed as Day-To-Day With Calf Strain

So, in Chicago Bulls news ANOTHER injury piles up on the roster only adding to Coach Thibodeau’s frustration in Bull’s 96-85 loss to the Miami Heat last night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

According to ESPNChicago.com, Nick Friedell reports Chicago Bulls center Omer Asik is day to day with a muscle strain in his left leg. He suffered the injury in the third quarter of Game 3 Sunday night and did not return. “We’re hopeful,” Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said after his team’s Monday afternoon film session. “I talked to [athletic trainer] Fred [Tedsechi] earlier and he said he’s day to day. He’ll get treatment [Tuesday]. Fred will take him onto the court to see if he’s having any problems and hopefully he’ll be ready to go.”

The Bulls’ backup center didn’t return to the game after suffering the injury.  Coach Tom Thibodeau said Asik received treatment on Monday.  Omer Asik (C) will be re-evaluated by athletic trainer, Fred Tedeschi,  on Tuesday before a determination of his playing status is made.

It has been confirmed that Asik’s injury is a calf strain NOT a sprain, though this is only an initial report. If Asik has pulled a muscle, he will probably still see minutes in Game 4.  His minutes may be LIMITED, depending on Asik’s pain reporting. “It feels better,” Asik said. “Hopefully, I’ll play.” Asik is averaging 14 minutes per game in the series against Miami.

Acute treatment for this kind of injury is R.I.C.E.(Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), but although Asik reports the pain has lessened, another physical exam will be required.   Difficulty walking, pain,  and leg swelling will need to be re-evaluated before Asik sees any minutes, therefore Chicago Fans can remain hopeful at this point.  Asik’s size and rebounding ability have given the Heat issues thus far in the series.  Look for his role to likely increase with the team next season.