Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said Bulls backup point guard C.J. Watson will not require surgery to repair the sprained left elbow he suffered in the fourth quarter of Sunday night's blowout win over the Grizzlies.

Watson, who has been wearing a sling to stabilize the elbow, is considered day to day, but Thibodeau said he expects him back "shortly," although whether or not he'll leave with the team Wednesday for a three-game trip to Detroit, Orlando and Atlanta remains to be seen. Watson may remain in Chicago and re-join the team in a few days.

"It's basically once we can get the swelling out and the pain subsides, then he'll be ready to go," Thibodeau said.

Meanwhile, John Lucas III will assume the backup point guard duties.

"I have a lot of confidence in John," Thibodeau said. "He's already demonstrated that he could do it. He did it for the Rockets when I was there, played well through stretches. So, he stays ready, he prepares himself well, smart player. So I expect him to do well.
 
"John whenever he's been called upon has done well. CJ was playing at an extremely high level. CJ's size, of course, allows him to play multiple positions. CJ gives you a lot of versatility."

Ronnie Brewer can also play the point in the a pinch.

"He did that quite a bit at the end of last year where we used Ronnie to handle the ball and brought Derrick [Rose] off screens and Ronnie has done it some in practice too so that's another option that we have."

--- Seth Gruen contributed to this report