Bulls F Deng out at least two games

Dec 27, 2008 - 1:15 PM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Chicago Bulls forward Luol Deng will not play when the team visits Atlanta on Saturday and it is uncertain as to when he will return to action.

Deng left Friday's 90-77 loss to Miami after spraining his left ankle while contesting a rebound.

X-rays on the injury were negative, but Deng was limping noticeably in the locker room after the game and did not sound optimistic about a quick recovery.

"I don't want to put a date on it, but it might be two weeks, maybe more," said Deng, who is averaging 13.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 26 games this season. "There was nothing on the X-rays. My ankle was just swollen. I will get an MRI and see. What are you going to do?"

Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said he does not expect to have the 6-9, 220-pound veteran available for Monday's game at New Jersey, and declined to set a timetable for Deng's return.

It is the latest injury for a Bulls team that already is without Kirk Hinrich (thumb), Drew Gooden (ankle), and Michael Ruffin (Achilles).