The Bulls are guaranteed one streak will end tonight, but it's notthe one they wanted to snap.
Hersey Hawkins' streak of consecutive games played will end at 527because of a left-calf injury. It was the second-longest activestreak in the NBA.
Hawkins, 33, has missed seven games in his 12-year career, but theinjury he suffered with 8:40 left in the first quarter of the Bulls'road loss Wednesday to the Cleveland Cavaliers might sideline him forup to six weeks. It has not been determined if his calf muscle istorn.
Bulls coach Tim Floyd said Thursday that Hawkins is doing better,but he wasn't sure how that translates into a recovery period.
"I've been able to heal quickly in the past," Hawkins said afterthe game. "I don't know if being 33 has anything to do with thehealing process, but I'm hoping I'll heal quickly this time, too."
Hawkins has taken pride in his ironman streak, but it seemedinevitable that it was going to end this season. He has been battlinga painful stiff neck and injured right Achilles tendon, along withother bumps and bruises.
If Hawkins is put on the injured list, it would require him to sitout a minimum of five games. Toni Kukoc, Fred Hoiberg and Lari Ketnerare on the injured list, and Ketner is the only one healthy enough tobe activated now.
Hoiberg might be close, and the Bulls might want to wait until heis ready before putting Hawkins on the list. But Hoiberg saidWednesday that his torn right quadriceps tendon would not allow himto play tonight.
Elton Brand, who missed Wednesday's game with a right hip pointer,will play tonight. Randy Brown didn't practice Thursday because ofassorted injuries, but he is expected to play.
"I've never seen this many injuries before," Bulls general managerJerry Krause said. "This is the worst I've seen in 15 years."
Krause said Kukoc's back spasms are improving.
"We're not going to rush anything," Krause said. "We may haveprematurely rushed him before and set him back."
NO HELP YET: Floyd said there are no plans to bring in helpbecause of the injuries or the 1-15 record.
"We're not at a point where we're ready to bring in anybody else,"he said. "But it's been discussed."
ARMSTRONG OK: Floyd said B.J. Armstrong, who saw his first actionof the season Wednesday, is fine, but he probably won't play as muchas he did against the Cavaliers. Armstrong, who had his left kneescoped Oct. 18, played 12 minutes and scored nine points.
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