Bulls F Carter undergoes thumb surgery

Chicago Bulls rookie forward Wendell Carter Jr. underwent surgery on Monday to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb, the team announced. Carter is expected to be sidelined from eight to 12 weeks.

Carter injured his left thumb when he fell during Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. An MRI exam on Wednesday appeared to show the ligament wasn't detached, but a follow-up exam on Friday by two hand specialists showed instability with surgery being recommended. The 6-foot-10 Carter is averaging 10.3 points and 7.0 rebounds in 44 games, all starts.

Carter was the seventh overall pick from Duke. --Field Level Media