Despite missing its starting backcourt for the past two games, the Chicago Bulls are a surprising 2–0, earning wins over the New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic. Those victories have pulled Chicago back to .500 at 17–17 and have the Bulls creeping up the Eastern Conference standings.
Bulls’ injury issues persist
In its third game in four days against the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago’s injury report remains largely unchanged. Josh Giddey and Coby White are both still sidelined with hamstring and calf injuries, respectively. Giddey is expected to be re-evaluated in 10 days with what appears to be a minor hamstring strain, while White will be re-evaluated in three days due to right calf tightness.
Furthermore, Chicago will be without reserve big man Zach Collins for a fourth straight game. Collins exited what was arguably his best performance of the season early, limping gingerly to the locker room. The 28-year-old has since been diagnosed with a first-toe sprain and will be re-evaluated in six days.
Charlotte’s frontcourt severely depleted
While the Hornets’ injury report isn’t as dire as the Bulls’, it remains significant, as Charlotte will be without its top three centers. Rookie second-round standout Ryan Kalkbrenner will miss his seventh straight game with a left elbow sprain. The injury was initially deemed minor, but it has sidelined him for nearly two weeks. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is expected to return to the hardwood in the coming days.
Aside from Kalkbrenner, both Moussa Diabaté and Mason Plumlee are listed as out. Diabaté, who had been starting in place of Kalkbrenner, will miss his second straight game with a right wrist sprain. Plumlee, meanwhile, underwent surgery to repair a groin injury and is expected to miss at least two months.
With the trio of centers out, the Hornets started second-year big man PJ Hall at the pivot. However, Hall didn’t see significant action in his first career start, logging just 19 minutes. Charlotte opted to go small, sliding Miles Bridges to the five and using former sixth-overall pick Tidjane Salaün as a small-ball center.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Charlotte Hornets
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), Trentyn Flowers (Right Knee Sprain), Josh Giddey (Left Hamstring Strain), Emanuel Miller (Right Hamstring Strain), Lachlan Olbrich (Left Ankle Sprain), Coby White (Right Calf Tightness).
Charlotte Hornets
Out: Moussa Diabate (Right Wrist Sprain), Ryan Kalkbrenner (Left Elbow Sprain), Mason Plumlee (Right Groin Surgery), Grant Williams (Right Knee Surgery).