Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Kirk Hinrich will miss Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Friday morning.
The Heat won Game 2 easily to tie the series.
Rose hasn’t played since tearing his left ACL on April 28, 2012. He underwent surgery on May 12. He hasn’t shut the door on returning and has maintained he would be willing to make his debut during the postseason, but a source told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that the decision to allow him to return would have to be cleared by Bulls management, including chairman Jerry Reinsdorf.
Deng spoke to the media Thursday for the first time since undergoing a spinal tap to test for spinal meningitis. He has been in and out of the hospital and said he’s lost about 15 pounds due to the flu and complications from the spinal tap. He admitted he was scared about his initial illness and acknowledged he isn’t sure if or when he will be able to return.
Hinrich underwent a second MRI on his bruised left calf Thursday.
Information from Espn.com contributed to this report.