Will Chicago Bulls F Pau Gasol Play in Game 4?

May 6, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Pau Gasol (16) complains to the referees about a call during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 106-91. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

‘Questionable‘ – that’s the official status Pau Gasol has been listed as heading into Sunday’s Game 4 clash with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Friday night was no night at the opera for the Bulls resident lover of the theatre, because Gasol suffered what was believed to be a left hamstring sprain early in act two of the dramatic Game 3 at the United Center. Despite the injury flareup, Gasol proceeded to play through the discomfort, visibly grimacing on the court at times until leaving late in the game, and he wouldn’t return. According to him, the issue initially arose earlier during Game 2 when he first started to experience tightening in that region of his leg.

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Following the Game 3 victory, Gasol was later seen leaving the United Center favoring his left hamstring, and an MRI examination the next day confirmed the worst: That he had indeed sprained it. The pain associated with the injury kept the center out of the team’s walkthrough that day, and now the Bulls will take a wait and see approach in regards to Gasol’s availability for Game 4.

Having dealt with hamstring issues in the past, the 34-year-old knows all too well the delicate nature of such an ailment and that it can prove precarious for a player of his age. The Bulls aren’t exactly lacking in the front court department, and so the wise play may be to sit and rest the talented 7-footer and insert Taj Gibson or Nikola Mirotic in his place.

Both Gibson and Mirotic more than proved their worth in the Game 3 win, their athleticism and length provided both solid rim protection and the ability to match the Cavs when they switched to their small ball lineup with Tristan Thompson at center. A position where Gibson excelled was when Coach Tom Thibodeau switched him to the middle to cover the rebound-devouring Thompson. Gibson was able to match the 6’9″ forward’s energy and hustle, providing some clutch play on both ends down the stretch.

With Gasol out and Joakim Noah‘s offense still MIA, Thibodeau leaned heavily on Gibson and he responded. As did Mirotic, his 11-point second quarter was a welcome relief with Pau bowing out early. Not only was Niko’s scoring outburst a spark offensively, it also was a jolt of confidence for the rookie, who up until Game 3 had only played a little over nine minutes combined in Games 1 and 2.

The fat lady hasn’t sung for Pau just yet. Make no mistake he will do all he can to suit up and play, but if his hamstring complaint renders him unable to take to the stage later today, he has two very capable understudies willing to step into his role and perform.

Next: Derrick Rose Proves He Can Play

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