Aussie NBA star to miss 'at least a few weeks'

Australian NBA star Josh Giddey will miss "at least a few weeks" with the hamstring injury he suffered in the Chicago Bulls' heavy loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In the midst of a career-best season, Giddey clutched at his left hamstring early in the second half of the Bulls' 136-101 defeat on Tuesday (AEDT).

Giddey immediately left the game, with Bulls coach Billy Donovan unsure of Giddey's prognosis after full-time.

But on Wednesday, US reports held that Giddey would miss a spate of games with a hamstring strain.

The news is a blow for the 23-year-old, who has been revelatory in his second season since making the move from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Giddey averages 19.2 points, 9 assists and 8.9 rebounds per game and is in the frame to become only the second Australian picked as an NBA All-Star.

Even if injured, Giddey could still be selected for the honour, though he now has fewer games to stake his claim.

Ben Simmons is the only Australian to have earned NBA All-Star recognition, doing so in three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2021.

The Bulls lost Giddey's back-court partner Coby White to a calf strain earlier in the loss to the Timberwolves.

An ankle injury has also ruled Giddey's countryman Lachlan Olbrich out of the Bulls' next clash, to be played against New Orleans on Thursday (AEDT).

Olbrich has played five NBA games since being selected with the 55th pick of the 2025 draft and celebrated his 22nd birthday on Tuesday.

Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones and Ayo Dosunme are expected to help the rebuilding Bulls shoulder the load in their stint without White and Giddey.

Chicago had a tough glimpse into life without the duo as they fell way off the pace in the second half against Minnesota, falling from five points behind at the half to 35 at the final siren.

"We've got to be a whole lot better," Donovan said.

"Are the injuries impactful? Yes. But these guys are all pros and they all want an opportunity to play."

It comes as the Denver Nuggets prepare to lose their marquee man Nikola Jokic to a knee injury for the next few weeks.

The three-time NBA MVP suffered his knee injury late in the first half of the Nuggets' loss to the Miami Heat and will be reassessed in four weeks.

Serbian centre Jokic is the only man to have recorded more triple-doubles than Giddey this NBA season, racking up 16 to Giddey's seven.