Injury concerns over GB forward Luol Deng

Great Britain forward Luol Deng faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a wrist injury but has opted against surgery, raising concerns over his status for the London Olympics.

The Chicago Bulls player has suffered a torn ligament and could be out “for a while”, according to his NBA coach Tom Thibodeau.

The Bulls coach also said that surgery remains an option if the 26-year-old continues to struggle with the problem.

“That’s always a possibility,” Thibodeau told ESPN.

“The fact is it’s his left wrist. After consulting with the doctors, he feels this is the best course of action. So obviously we’re pleased that he doesn’t have to have the surgery.”

If Deng is unable to play through the problem and is forced to have surgery at a later date it would throw his fitness for the Olympics into serious doubt.

But Deng is confident the injury can be handled with rest and rehabilitation and is keen to get back in action for the 16-3 Bulls as soon as possible.

Bad injury

“I know it’s a bad injury, and it sounds terrible, but I’ll be fine,” Deng said.

“I really feel like we have a very good chance of doing something special. And I feel like without the surgery I’ll be fine. I just know what I can do with it and what I can’t do.

“And I really think I’m going to be very effective out there. There’s going to be days when it’s sore.”

Deng missed Britain’s first ever appearance in a European Championships in 2009 after failing to overcome a stress fracture in his right tibia he suffered while playing for the Bulls.

The Sudanese-born player required surgery on a similar injury to his right wrist during the 2004-05 NBA season, but is optimistic after consulting the doctors who treated him then.

“It could always be worse. Injuries happen,” he added.

“And this happened in the fourth quarter of a game. But it is what is. It’s just, ‘what do we do from here.’

“I’m very confident that I’ll be fine. It’s sore, but the soreness is going down a lot in two days. So every day (I’ll) keep treating it and see if I can get rid of the soreness and just try to be back there as soon as possible.”

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Celtics stun Magic

The Boston Celtics came from 27 points down to beat the Orlando Magic 91-83 on Thursday.

Paul Pierce scored 24 points and made 10 assists to guide the Celtics to a memorable comeback success.

E’Twaun Moore also scored 16 points as the Celtics claimed their second victory in a week over the Magic.

Dwight Howard led the Magic’s bid with 16 points and 16 rebounds.

In the day’s other game, Rudy Gay top-scored with 24 points but finished on the losing side as theMemphis Grizzlies went down 98-91 to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Blake Griffin led the way for the Clippers with 20 points and eight assists.