New Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey said he ruptured an ankle ligament while playing for Australia at the Paris Olympics but expects to start the season on time.
Speaking at the Bulls' media day Monday, Giddey said that the injury to his anterior talofibular ligament occurred during Australia's final Olympics game and that it ended up being more serious than initially believed.
"I'll be fine," Giddey said, when asked about playing in the Bulls' Oct. 23 season opener on the road against the New Orleans Pelicans.
In fact, Giddey said if it were the playoffs, he would be able to play right now, although he will have a slow ramp-up into training camp.
A healthy start to the season is paramount with the Bulls intending to push their tempo this season.
"We started scrimmaging with 14-second shot clocks to emphasize the pace we want to play," Giddey said Monday. "Once it becomes a habit, this team's going to be pretty scary in the open court."
Giddey, who won't turn 22 until Oct. 10, was acquired by the Bulls on June 21 from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for guard Alex Caruso. Chicago also received a trade exception.
In three NBA seasons, 6-foot-8 Giddey has averaged 13.9 points per game with 7.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 210 games, all starts. He was the No. 6 selection in the 2021 NBA draft by the Thunder.