The Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks are two teams trending in opposite directions -- just not in the ways you'd have expected back in October. Things may be looking up for both, though, based on the preliminary injury report for tonight's game at the United Center.
Giannis Antetokounmpo looks set to play for Milwaukee, which would be an obviously massive boost for a Bucks team struggling to do much of anything positive with a basketball.
The Bulls, meanwhile, have finally shaken the injury bug (knock on wood) and have been one of the NBA's best teams over the last 10 days.
So who's in and who's out for tonight's Central Division clash?
Giannis Antetokounmpo expected to return for Bucks
Milwaukee has been one of the more disappointing teams in the league through the first few months. After general manager Jon Horst made a series of win-now moves, including waiving and stretching Damian Lillard's contract to pay more than $100 million to Myles Turner, the Bucks were hoping to make a deep playoff run.
Instead, they're seven games under .500 (12-19) and 2.5 games back of the final Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament spot. The absence of Antetokounmpo, who was playing at an MVP level before he went down with a calf strain, has played a major role in the team's struggles.
After missing Milwaukee's last eight contests, however, Antetokounmpo is expected to play tonight against the Bulls, per Eric Nehm of The Athletic.
Giannis is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 29.1 minutes per game. The Bucks are 2-12 without him this season.
Another clean bill of health for Chicago
It's no coincidence that the Bulls have resumed their winning ways after their injury report slimmed down dramatically.
Chicago began the year 5-0 on the back of a deep scoring attack that regularly featured seven players posting double figures. Now, the Bulls are riding another five-game winning streak led, unsurprisingly, by a plethora of different bucket-getters.
Seven Bulls are averaging 11 or more points across the last five contests, paced by Josh Giddey's 19.2 points per game. Isaac Okoro (9.0 ppg) and Ayo Dosunmu (8.8 ppg) have made considerable contributions as well.
Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls Injury Report
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Noa Essengue (season-ending shoulder surgery)
Questionable: Josh Giddey (ankle)
Milwaukee Bucks
Out: Taurean Prince (neck surgery)
Questionable: Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf); Gary Trent Jr. (calf)