The Chicago Bulls are entering an unusual stretch of the schedule featuring two consecutive back-to-backs. After hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 17, the Bulls travel to Cleveland to face the Cavs on December 19, then head to Atlanta for two games against the Hawks in three days—both on the road.
Chicago’s first of the two matchups went about as well as possible. The Bulls earned a 16-point win and held the advantage in nearly every major statistical category, snapping a stretch that included just one win in their previous nine games.
Bulls close to full strength as injuries lessen
It was a much-needed get-right game for the Bulls, coinciding with the return of several players from injury, including Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, and Jalen Smith. Chicago was missing only one key contributor against Cleveland—Ayo Dosunmu—but the fifth-year guard is on track to return tonight after missing the past three games.
Dosunmu has been dealing with sprained thumbs on both hands, which have limited both his availability and effectiveness after he attempted to play through the injury earlier this month against the Golden State Warriors. The 25-year-old appears to have benefited from the time off, as he’s been listed as probable for tonight’s game.
Donovan Mitchell’s status in question
While the Bulls’ injury report is nearly pristine, the same cannot be said for Cleveland. The Cavaliers are already without reigning Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and could also be without six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell, who appeared on the injury report with an illness.
Mitchell, who is coming off a 32-point, five-assist performance against Chicago earlier this week, would be a massive loss for Cleveland. His backcourt partner, Darius Garland, has struggled throughout December, averaging just 16.4 points on 35.0 percent shooting. If Mitchell is unable to go, expect DeAndre Hunter to reenter the starting lineup—or perhaps former Bull Lonzo Ball to be inserted into the mix.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Noa Essengue (Left Shoulder Surgery).
Probable: Zach Collins (Left Wrist Soreness), Ayo Dosunmu (Right Thumb Sprain), Tre Jones (Left Hamstring Tightness).
Cleveland Cavaliers
Out: Sam Merrill (Right Hand Sprain), Evan Mobley (Left Calf Strain), Larry Nance Jr. (Right Calf Strain), Max Strus (Left Foot Surgery - Jones Fracture).
Questionable: Donovan Mitchell (Illness).