The Chicago Bulls received some good injury news as Josh Giddey is slated to make his return to the hardwood in Saturday night's bout against the Milwaukee Bucks. Giddy had missed Chicago's previous four games dealing with a right ankle sprain he suffered on December 16 against the Toronto Raptors.
In addition to the 22-year-old guard's return, Lonzo Ball will make his return to the Bulls' lineup after missing two consecutive contests dealing with an illness. Like Ball, Chicago rookie Matas Buzelis had also been dealing with an illness. The 6-foot-10 forward missed his second game of the season in the Bulls' loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday night.
Aside from Giddey, Ball, and Buzelis, fourth-year guard Ayo Dosunmu was absent from the Bulls' rotation in the loss to Atlanta. The contest against the Hawks was the first time Dosunmu had missed a game all season. The 24-year-old missed Thursday's game with what was first announced as right Achilles tendinitis.
Ayo Dosunmu is out for at least five games
Injury Update: Ayo Dosunmu will be re-evaluated in 10 days after sustaining a right lower calf strain on December 23 vs. the Milwaukee Bucks. pic.twitter.com/oUUevCIiYz
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 28, 2024
However, on December 28, the Bulls announced Dosunmu's injury was, instead, a strain to his lower right calf. Subsequently, Dosunmu is slated to miss at least Chicago's next five games. He'll be reevaluated in 10 days with hopes of suiting up against the Indiana Pacers on January 8.
The 6-foot-5 guard will miss games against the Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, New York Knicks, and San Antonio Spurs. Luckily for Chicago, its next five opponents combine to own a 65-84 record—primarily because of Charlotte and Washington, but the Bucks and Spurs are right around the .500 mark.
Despite not beginning the season as a starter, Dosunmu has started in 17 of 30 appearances for the Bulls. The former Illinois standout has been an integral part of Chicago's rotation and an even better in the opening unit. Dosunmu has averaged 14.5 points compared to 10.1 when he started games for the Bulls. All in all, Dosunmu holds averages of 12.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game—all career-highs for the fourth-year guard.
Without Dosunmu in the lineup, Chicago will revert to its original starting five of Giddey, Coby White, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Nikola Vucevic. The aforementioned quintet is Chicago's most used lineup thus far, albeit too not much success as the fivesome is outscored by 4.0 points per 100 possessions.
Of Chicago's eight lineups to see 50-plus minutes, Dosunmu is included in its only two lineups to record a positive differential. Although Dosunmu's on/off splits leave much to be desired, he's established himself as a quality contributor and potential long-term starter down the road. Missing Dosunmu's all-around game will gravely affect the Bulls.