Chicago Bulls: Daniel Theis returns, Troy Brown Jr. out vs. Nets
On the night of May 11, first-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Chicago Bulls are facing an enormous battle as they look to take on head coach Steve Nash and the star-studded Brooklyn Nets. At home at the United Center early this week, the Bulls will be looking to extend their winning streak to four games.
If the Bulls are able to extend their winning streak against the Nets on May 11, then it would also keep them alive in the race to land a final spot in the play-in tournament for later this month. But they will be doing so without the services of one younger wing that was frequently out of the lineup of late.
The Bulls will reportedly be without shooting guard/small forward Troy Brown Jr. against the Nets at home on May 11. But the good news is that the Bulls will get center Daniel Theis back after he missed some time with a hip injury.
No Troy Brown Jr. tonight vs. Nets, Billy Donovan says. Had been questionable with sprained ankle — and is getting closer — but needs more practice time (last played April 19).
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) May 11, 2021
Daniel Theis (hip) is on track to return. Just has to warm up to be sure.
Daniel Theis back for the Chicago Bulls, Troy Brown Jr. remains out
What limited Brown Jr. of late was a nagging ankle injury, and it’s almost a month since he played in his last game. In fact, since landing with the Bulls from the Washington Wizards at the trade deadline, Brown Jr. has only played in 13 games in Chicago. He played in 21 games with the Wizards prior to the deadline back on March 25.
Meanwhile, Theis has played in nearly two dozen games with the Bulls since landing in Chicago at the trade deadline. He is definitely one of the two most impactful acquisitions for the Bulls at the deadline, along with star center Nikola Vucevic.
Returning to the frontcourt rotation on this night against the Nets will make a huge impact for both Theis and the Bulls. Theis is really proving himself in the midst of the final year of his current contract.
The Bulls carry a record of 29-39 into this meeting with the Nets. Their last three wins came against the Charlotte Hornets, Boston Celtics, and Detroit Pistons. They do still sit at least 2.5 games back of both the Indiana Pacers and Wizards for that elusive final spot in the play-in tournament.
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Tip-off time between the Bulls and Nets is set to take place on May 11 at 7 p.m. CT. And the Nets look to be without a big-time superstar themselves, with guard James Harden still out recovering from a hamstring injury.