The Chicago Bulls square off against the Los Angeles Lakers for the first time since Josh Giddey’s stunning half-court buzzer-beater lifted Chicago to a 119–117 win nearly a year ago. After recently missing 11 straight games, Giddey is back in the lineup to face Los Angeles once more. The Aussie has appeared in the Bulls’ last two games since returning, though he hasn’t started either contest.
Bulls rotation watch
There’s no word yet on whether Giddey will return to the starting lineup, but it could very well happen tonight. Billy Donovan has gone with big man Jalen Smith alongside the starters over the past four games, and he’s performed extremely well. Still, if there were ever a time to reinsert Giddey, it’s now against the Lakers. Los Angeles doesn’t deploy an especially big lineup, making the move a sensible one.
While Giddey is back in the lineup, the Bulls will be without their second-leading assist man in Tre Jones. Jones has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring strain, though he’s interestingly listed as doubtful against Los Angeles. Giddey, who also suffered a hamstring strain, wasn’t upgraded from out to doubtful until roughly three weeks after his injury, making Jones’ designation somewhat surprising—though in the end, it may not mean much.
Lakers remain without Austin Reaves
The Lakers, meanwhile, continue to press on without their second-leading scorer, Austin Reaves. Reaves has been sidelined since suffering a calf strain on Christmas Day, though he’s expected to return to the lineup in the coming days.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said Reaves will return at some point during Los Angeles’ eight-game road trip, though it won’t be against Chicago. A return to the lineup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 28 feels more plausible.
Without Reaves in the opening lineup, Redick has turned to Jake LaRavia as his replacement. However, there’s a chance LaRavia won’t suit up either. The 6-foot-7 forward is listed as questionable with a quad contusion, which could cause him to miss his first game of the season. If LaRavia is unable to go, expect Redick to reinsert Rui Hachimura into the starting group.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Los Angeles Lakers
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).
Doubtful: Tre Jones (Left Hamstring Strain).
Los Angeles Lakers
Out: Austin Reaves (Left Calf Strain), Adou Thiero (Right MCL Sprain).
Questionable: Jake LaRavia (Left Quad Contusion).