Bulls rocked by crushing injury update just days before season opener

The Chicago Bulls received crushing injury news two days before their regular-season opener against the Detroit Pistons. Coby White, who missed the preseason with a right calf strain sustained in August, is expected to miss at least six games. His injury will be reevaluated in two weeks.

Originally, it was expected that White would return before the regular season, potentially appearing in one of Chicago's final preseason games. However, he never felt ready to play and only resumed "controlled contact" the weekend before the Bulls’ opener against Detroit.

When asked if he planned to play in the Bulls' opener, White said, “We’ll see. It’s in the works.” The 25-year-old’s hesitant response proved accurate, as the team later announced he would need more time to recover.

White’s caution is understandable, as calf injuries are nothing to take lightly. Just last postseason, Damian Lillard and Tyrese Haliburton both rushed back from calf strains, only to suffer devastating Achilles tears upon returning to the hardwood.

Chicago, perhaps even more cautious than White, is taking the long-term view, according to Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson. The Bulls want their leading scorer at 100 percent, and rushing him back before he’s ready would go against that approach.

White, of course, is entering a contract year. The 2025–26 season will be the final year of the three-year, $36 million deal he signed in 2023. As a result, a lot is riding on this campaign—not just for White, but also for the Bulls. The North Carolina product is reportedly eyeing a deal worth $30 million per annum, and risking his contract year right out of the gate would be a costly move

On the other hand, Chicago likely wants to see how White performs as the de facto primary option before committing to a lucrative contract. Taking a cautious approach is also the best way to ensure he’s 100 percent for the Bulls’ front office evaluation.

The Bulls have already struggled without White, starting slowly in all five preseason games without his scoring punch. His absence has proven his value, but the first six regular-season games will truly show just how crucial White is to Chicago.

With White officially sidelined, Billy Donovan faces a tough decision regarding Chicago's starting lineup. Only three players are locked in: Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic. Donovan will soon have to choose the final two spots from Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Jalen Smith, and even Patrick Williams.

Missing White's downhill pressure, there’s reason to expect Donovan will include at least one of Dosunmu or Jones to help share some playmaking responsibilities with Giddey. Additionally, with the Bulls continuing to struggle defensively, Okoro and Smith appear to be likely candidates.

White's injury is a crushing blow, but Dosunmu and Jones are capable replacements in the interim. All in all, the Bulls will be without their leading scorer for games against the Pistons, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and the New York Knicks (twice).