After three straight victories, the Chicago Bulls are back at .500 (22–22). However, they now clash with a team they’ve struggled against in recent seasons—the Boston Celtics. Chicago is just 1–7 versus Boston over the past three years, including a 0–1 mark this season after a 115–101 loss earlier this month.
Giddey Returns, Jones Sidelined
However, in the Bulls’ January 5 matchup against the Celtics, neither Josh Giddey nor Coby White was in the lineup. Giddey was recovering from a hamstring strain, while White sat out with lingering calf tightness. Nearly three weeks later, though, both guards are available and good to go against Boston.
Yet Chicago’s guard rotation has taken another hit since the return of Giddey and White. Standout reserve point guard Tre Jones has been diagnosed with a strained hamstring and will be sidelined for at least the next two weeks. Jones joins Zach Collins on the injury list, who has yet to appear in a game in 2026. Collins hasn’t played since December 27 and is expected to be out until after the All-Star break with a first toe sprain.
Celtics nearly at full health
Boston, on the other hand, will be without reserve forward Josh Minott, who is sidelined with an ankle sprain. Minott has appeared in just one game in January. Meanwhile, Joe Mazzulla has settled on three-point marksman Sam Hauser as his preferred starting wing alongside Jaylen Brown.
Speaking of Brown, the four-time All-Star is listed on the injury report but carries a probable designation due to left hamstring tightness. Brown has missed only three games this season, so don’t expect mere tightness to keep him out of the Celtics’ lineup.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Boston Celtics
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Zach Collins (Right 1st Toe Sprain), Noa Essengue (Left Shoulder Surgery), Tre Jones (Left Hamstring Strain).
Boston Celtics
Out: Josh Minott (Left Ankle Sprain), Jayson Tatum (Right Achilles Repair).
Probable: Jaylen Brown (Left Hamstring Tightness), Neemias Queta (Illness; Non-Covid).