Bulls' Gibson out Sunday with ankle injury, Gasol returns

Pau Gasol will return from a brief illness-related absence when the Chicago Bulls host the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon, but the Derrick Rose-less Bulls will once again be down a big man.

Power forward Taj Gibson will sit out with an ankle injury picked up during Friday's victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Gibson, who started in Gasol's place Friday, injured his left ankle in the second quarter and didn't return. The 29-year-old has a history of left ankle issues, particularly over the last year or so, and has already missed time this season due to a left ankle sprain.

Gibson is averaging 10.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 blocks in 28 minutes, mostly off the bench as a third big man behind Gasol and Joakim Noah.

Gasol is enjoying his best season in years, averaging 18.4 points, a career-high 12.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 blocks in nearly 35 minutes.