Kirk Hinrich injury: Status of Bulls guard still up in the air

Chicago Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich will be a game-time decision Saturday night against the Brooklyn Nets after sitting out practice Friday with a left knee injury, Nick Friedell of ESPN Chicago reported.

Hinrich suffered what an MRI showed to be a knee bruise Tuesday during the first half of a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. He has been plagued by nagging injuries all season, including ailments to his thumb, elbow, groin and hip.

Hinrich sat out Wednesday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers, but Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Friday that Hinrich was feeling better and could play Saturday.

Thibodeau did not reveal who might start in Hinrich's place should he miss the Nets game. Nate Robinson started Wednesday, but rookie Marquis Teague played well in the fourth quarter. In 20 minutes against the 76ers, Teague recorded six points, four assists, two rebounds and two steals with only one turnover.

Thibodeau indicated Friday that Teague may have earned more minutes with his play of late:

"You base it on how the team is doing. And every time he's been out there, he's done a good job, and he's only going to get better and better. He still has a long way to go; it's not an end all. The team functioned well when he was on the floor, which is how I evaluate the point guards, but I think he can do a lot better, too."