What once looked like an audition for a primary suitor is now off the table, as trade candidate Anthony Davis has reportedly suffered ligament damage in his left hand and will be out for the foreseeable future.
Anthony Davis’ homecoming quashed by injury
The Chicago Bulls had been linked to the Dallas Mavericks’ big man throughout trade season, but with Davis now mulling the possibility of surgery, a deal seems increasingly unlikely ahead of the deadline—especially for teams like the Bulls or even the Atlanta Hawks, who are hellbent on rising the Eastern Conference ranks.
Thus, the potential storyline is suddenly no more, with a homecoming game for the Chicago native now off the table as well. Instead, the focus shifts to the Bulls’ rising sophomore Matas Buzelis, who has taken on an expanded role with Josh Giddey sidelined by a hamstring strain, squaring off against Rookie of the Year favorite Cooper Flagg.
Josh Giddey remains sidelined
Buzelis has averaged over 20 points per game since Giddey went down, and for what it’s worth, the Aussie could still be sidelined for well over a week. Giddey is slated to be re-evaluated on January 13, but even in a best-case scenario where he’s cleared to return to the hardwood, he’ll still need time to ramp up his conditioning.
While Giddey remains out of the lineup, Chicago could see the return of Jalen Smith, who missed the last two games with a concussion. Smith is listed as questionable but was seen getting shots up at morning shootaround. Kevin Huerter is also questionable with lower back tightness. Huerter has yet to miss a game due to the injury, though he would have if not for Chicago’s matchup against the Miami Heat being postponed on January 8.
Washington and Williams ruled out for Dallas
Besides Davis, the Mavericks will also be without P.J. Washington and Brandon Williams. Washington will miss his third straight game with an ankle sprain, while Williams is out with an illness after leaving Dallas’ most recent contest against the Utah Jazz early. Williams has been a bright spot for the downtrodden Mavericks, averaging 11.5 points and 3.8 assists per game in a breakout season.
Lastly, the Mavericks’ injury report appears lengthy due in part to several players who have already been ruled out for the season, including Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II. Kyrie Irving, who suffered a season-ending knee injury nearly a year ago, has also remained a fixture on the report, though there is optimism he could return following the All-Star break.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Dallas Mavericks
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), Josh Giddey (Left Hamstring Strain).
Questionable: Kevin Huerter (Right Low Back Tightness), Jalen Smith (Concussion).
Dallas Mavericks
Out: Anthony Davis (Left Finger Sprain), Dante Exum (Right Knee Surgery), Kyrie Irving (Left Knee Surgery), Dereck Lively (Right Foot Surgery), P.J. Washington (Right Ankle Sprain), Brandon Williams (Illness).