All signs are pointing toward Bulls rookie Kirk Hinrich opening the season on the injured list as his viral infection enters its second week.
Hinrich hasn’t practiced since Oct. 17, and he’s not expected to practice for the foreseeable future. The Bulls open the regular season Wednesday at home against the Washington Wizards.
Any player on the injured list has to miss a minimum of five games, and Hinrich is expected to be on the list with Jay Williams and Linton Johnson.
“We have to have the roster set Monday, so there’s a chance he’ll start on the injured list,” Bulls operations chief John Paxson said. “He’s lost so much weight.
“He hasn’t been able to eat solid food. It’s one of those things we don’t know why it happened (and we) can’t explain it.”
Hinrich was the No. 7 pick out of Kansas University, and he was being counted on to back up point guard Jamal Crawford. Hinrich’s last game was Oct. 16 in New Orleans, where he scored 10 points in 20 minutes in his most impressive effort.
“It’s a setback because he was really getting comfortable,” Paxson said. “And, maybe more importantly, the other players were getting comfortable with him on the floor.
“He does a lot of things the guys he plays with like, like passing the ball, and he’s smart, so it sets us back. But it’s going to give Roger Mason Jr. a chance to step out there and prove himself more in regular-season games.”
Hinrich went through a battery of tests, but they all came back negative.
“He has a viral illness,” Bulls trainer Fred Tedeschi said. “Obviously, it was a big illness that affected his mouth and throat and his ability to eat.
“He’s weak and has lost weight. It’s going to take time for him to build all that up. He feels OK, but it will take time.”
Tedeschi doesn’t think Hinrich will be able to practice today or Tuesday. The Bulls had Sunday off.
Tyson Chandler also missed practice Saturday with a sore lower back, and it’s doubtful he’ll be ready to play Wednesday, even if he does practice today and Tuesday. Chandler missed the last five preseason games.
“It’s brutal,” Bulls coach Bill Cartwright said. “The guys who need this the most are missing.
“Kirk needed to log more minutes than anybody during the preseason, just for the experience.
“This really sets him back. Tyson needs the conditioning. If he’s not in condition, he can’t play. Even if he practices Monday and Tuesday, I think that’d be asking a lot for him to come back and play.
“He’d have to look pretty damn good for that to happen. It’d be silly to throw him out there anyway.”
Look for Lonny Baxter to replace Chandler as the starting power forward.
“Lonny’s been playing pretty darn good,” Cartwright said.
“I like the effort the kid is giving us. He’s a great worker. So why not put him in there?”
