Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich fully participates in practice, hopes to play in opener

Chicago Bulls point guard Kirk Hinrich was a full participant in practice on Monday, and both he and coach Tom Thibodeau are hopeful that he will be ready to go for Wednesday's season opener against the Sacramento Kings. Hinrich has been battling a groin injury over the past week.

In his usual fashion, Thibodeau was non-committal about Hinrich's status for Wednesday, but the point guard himself is pretty confident that he will play (via CSN Chicago):

"As of right now, if I don't have any setbacks tomorrow or anything, I plan on playing," he added. "It's something I've never really have before, I'm just happy with the improvement, and I just felt it was important for me today to get out there and get some reps, and try to test it as much as I could."

Hinrich injured his groin in last week's preseason win over the Oklahoma City Thunder. He subsequently sat out Chicago's preseason finale against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night in South Bend.

The veteran point guard has battled injuries and poor play during his last few seasons, but that did not stop Chicago from making him an offseason priority to fill in for the injured Derrick Rose. Hinrich looked rejuvenated at times during the preseason, but the groin injury and a thumb injury limited his time.

If for some reason Hinrich is unable to go on Wednesday, Nate Robinson would get the start at point guard.