Barkley likely to criticize Kobe again

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey is dealing with a muscle injury in his right hand. The injury causes pain and tightness for Giddey, especially when making certain movements with his right hand and arm. But the versatile Bulls guard says it won’t keep him out of Wednesday’s Play-In Tournament game against the Miami Heat.

“I’m good to go,” Giddey said. “Play-in game, must-win game, there’s no way I’m going to sit out.”

The pending restricted free agent said about the injury that “It’s just about managing the pain.” Giddey also said it’s something that will need to be addressed in the offseason.

The Bulls host the Heat in the 9-10 game in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament on Wednesday. The winner will advance to play at the Atlanta Hawks on Friday for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The loser will head to the NBA Draft Lottery.

The Phoenix Suns will hire Mike Budenholzer on a contract worth approximately $10 million per season.

Budenholzer will return to coaching one season after he was fired by the Milwaukee Bucks. Budenholzer’s Bucks defeated the Suns during the 2021 Finals.

The Suns parted ways with Frank Vogel as head coach this week after one season in the job.

After a disappointing first round exit, the Suns intend to keep their core of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal in place.