Chicago Bulls fans didn't get a lot of time to enjoy their team's 131-116 victory over the Atlanta Hawks in Wednesday's Eastern Conference play-in tournament game.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported guard Alex Caruso suffered a "significant" left ankle sprain, which leaves his status for Friday's elimination contest against the Miami Heat "in doubt."

He suffered the injury in the second quarter when his teammate, Andre Drummond, ran into him:

Caruso seemed well on his way to a solid game prior to the injury and had six points on two three-pointers, two assists, two rebounds and one steal in 17 minutes.

The difference he makes on the defensive end was clear even in the victory, as Trae Young had five turnovers in the first quarter alone with Caruso and others pressuring him in the backcourt. Yet Atlanta poured in 45 points in the second quarter and took full advantage of a Bulls team playing without its best defender.

Caruso eventually returned to the game but exited for good in the third quarter after it was clear he was playing through serious pain.

Chicago still prevailed behind a dominant offensive showing and a breakout game from Coby White (42 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals), but it will need to figure out a way to play better defense without Caruso if it is going to advance past the Heat and into the postseason.

The Bulls may not be the only ones missing a key piece in the upcoming game, as Miami star Jimmy Butler suffered a knee injury during his team's loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Wednesday's other play-in tournament matchup.

Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported the fear is Butler suffered an MCL injury that could keep him out "for an indefinite period."

Caruso likely would have guarded Butler throughout Friday's game considering he is one of the premier perimeter defenders in the league and the Heat forward is his team's go-to option.

Yet the game will look much different than initially expected if they are each out as both teams fight for the No. 8 seed and a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Boston Celtics.