The Chicago Bulls last played on Dec. 8, a 108-100 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. (It was also a noon start.) In an 82-game NBA season that features back-to-backs, load management and week-long road trips, that feels like a decade ago.
The Bulls' last win was Dec. 5, a 139-124 road win over the Victor Wembanyama-less San Antonio Spurs. Nikola Vucevic scored 39 points, and Ayo Dosunmu put together the first triple-double of his career.
Chicago (10-15) will look to get back in the win column for the first time in eight days as it plays host to the Charlotte Hornets (7-17) tonight.
How healthy will each team be after the long layoff?
Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine all on Bulls injury report
There was hope that forward Patrick Williams would be back sometime this week as he recovers from a foot injury. The 23-year-old has missed Chicago's last 10 games.
Bulls fans will have to wait until game time to find out whether Williams will be in the lineup or not, as he's listed as "questionable" on the team's injury report.
Two more of Chicago's key players have also earned the "questionable" designation while another pair are "probable."
Hornets LaMelo Ball out for tonight's game against Bulls
Charlotte, meanwhile, will be without its best player as point guard LaMelo Ball is out with a calf injury. That also means no Lonzo Ball vs. LaMelo Ball.
The Bulls may catch the Hornets without several other rotation players, as well.
Complete injury report for Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls
The full injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Questionable: Patrick Williams (foot); Josh Giddey (back); Nikola Vucevic (illness)
Probable: Zach LaVine (back); Lonzo Ball (knee management)
Charlotte Hornets
Out: LaMelo Ball (calf); Grant Williams (ACL); Tre Mann (disc irritation)
Questionable: Miles Bridges (knee); Tidjane Salaun (ankle)