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Bulls' Thibodeau: Gibson improving but will miss 'a few more games'

Mike DiNovo / USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls looked ready to put their persistent injury woes behind them when they emerged from the All-Star break with their roster finally fully intact

Of course, things would only get worse. Just two weeks after the break, the Bulls are operating without three of their most important players, as Derrick Rose rehabs after surgery from a torn meniscus, Jimmy Butler recovers from a sprained elbow and Taj Gibson nurses an ankle sprain. 

Gibson, at least, seems to have a return on the horizon. He shed his walking boot on Wednesday and coach Tom Thibodeau said Thursday that the Bulls' sixth man is improving, albeit incrementally. Thibodeau still doesn't expect Gibson to be ready to return for a few more games, according to ESPN's Nick Friedell.

Gibson, who also admitted to playing through a torn hand ligament, has sat out the past two games. For the season, he's averaging 10.6 points and 6.6 rebounds in 28.1 minutes a night, while anchoring the Bulls second unit.

He also helps carry the team's stout interior defense, which allows opponents to shoot just 57 percent in the restricted area – the second-best mark in the league. 

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