Pau Gasol out Friday with illness

After leaving shootaround due to illness, Chicago Bulls big man Pau Gasol has been ruled out of Friday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Bulls, already without Derrick Rose, will be hard-pressed to make up for Gasol's production. The 34-year-old All-Star is enjoying his best season in years, averaging 18.4 points, a career-high 12.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks.

If any team can survive a short-term absence from one of their big men, however, it's the Bulls, who can simply slot Taj Gibson into the starting lineup.

Gasol had suited up for 55 of 58 games this season prior to Friday.