Luol Deng will try to play through a torn ligament in his left wrist that sources say doctors suggested he have surgery to repair.

"I know it sounds terrible, but I really think I'll be fine," Deng said.

Deng even is telling teammates he hasn't ruled out playing in Sunday's game against the Heat, though that seems unlikely after Tom Thibodeau conceded Deng is "going to be out awhile."

"It's going to be painful at times, but I will have to deal with it," Deng said. "The soreness has gone down a lot in two days. Every day I will keep treating it and see if I can get rid of the soreness.

"We have a very good chance of doing something special. I feel that without the surgery I will be fine. I just know what I can and can't do with it. I think I will be very effective out there. We're going to try to control how sore it gets. Everybody's body responds differently. I'm very confident I'll be able to handle it."