Last time the Chicago Bulls took the floor, they were without several key contributors: Kevin Huerter, Isaac Okoro, Dalen Terry, and Nikola Vucevic. With Zach Collins already sidelined as he recovers from wrist surgery, the team was missing five players in their matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The game went just about as expected, given how shorthanded the Bulls were. The Pelicans beat Chicago 143–130, fueled by 110 combined points in the paint and on second-chance opportunities. The Bulls were overwhelmed around the basket—a problem that will persist, though it should be less severe if Vucevic returns against the Charlotte Hornets on Black Friday.
Bulls’ injury report is long, but manageable
After being ruled out against New Orleans with right knee soreness, the 35-year-old’s injury designation has now shifted to “right patellofemoral syndrome,” which, for all of us non–sports physicians, essentially means pain behind the kneecap. It’s also commonly known as runner’s knee.
Vucevic’s injury isn’t expected to be a long-term issue, but it is the type of nagging problem that could cause him to appear on the injury report from time to time. Joining him there is Coby White, who is back on the report with an injury-management designation tied to the calf strain that kept him out for the first 11 games of the season. Like Vooch, White’s designation is more about managing discomfort than any significant risk of re-injury.
Additionally, both Huerter and Terry, who missed Monday night’s game, are listed as questionable with a pelvic contusion and a calf strain, respectively. Huerter’s status remains up in the air, while Terry has progressed from being ruled out to a game-time decision. Lastly, Okoro has also been upgraded to doubtful, giving him a slim chance of suiting up against the Hornets.
Charlotte boasts a clean bill of health
As for Charlotte, the Hornets’ bill of health is relatively clean. Considering that starting backcourt duo LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller have appeared in only 15 combined games this season, it’s a sight for sore eyes to see both players without injury designations—and, in fact, no starters listed with an injury at all.
Charlotte lists only four players on its injury report, with one of them included on a G-League assignment. The remaining three are reserves Pat Connaughton, Josh Green, and Grant Williams, with the latter two still recovering from surgeries.
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 (Left Scaphoid Fracture), Noa Essengue (G League Assignment).
Doubtful: Isaac Okoro (Left Lumbar Radiculopathy).
Questionable: Kevin Huerter (Left Pelvic Contusion), Dalen Terry (Left Calf Strain), Nikola Vucevic (Right Patellofemoral Syndrome), Coby White (Right Calf Strain; Injury Management), Patrick Williams (Left Wrist Sprain).
Charlotte Hornets
Out: Pat Connaughton (Right Calf Strain), Josh Green (Left Shoulder Surgery), Tidjane Salaun (G League Assignment), Grant Williams (Right Knee Surgery).