Chicago Bulls forward/center Pau Gasol's swollen right knee responded well to recent treatment, and there is a possibility he could return on Thursday versus the Brooklyn Nets.
Gasol is definitely out for Monday versus the Toronto Raptors and Wednesday against the Washington Wizards, but it sounds like there is some optimism his absence will be of the short-term variety. Before going down, Gasol was dealing with issues with his IT band, the ligament outside the thigh that runs from the hip to shin. While he's on the shelf, Taj Gibson, Nikola Mirotic and Bobby Portis will be the prime beneficiaries.
Gasol owns the 29th-best nERD this season at 6.1 and has played 61 games. He's averaging 17.0 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.0 blocks per game while posting a 53.3 True Shooting Percentage. We project the big man to average 20.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.1 blocks per game over the remaining course of the season.
Source: Rotoworld.com