After three straight road losses and a logistical peculiarity that forced an overnight stay in San Francisco instead of Sacramento, the Houston Rockets will gladly return home to host the Chicago Bulls for the first time this season.
Rockets mostly healthy
Despite being nearly full-force in their last three losses—two to the Portland Trail Blazers and one to the Sacramento Kings—Houston has struggled mightily on the offensive end, ranking 28th in scoring, 30th in both field goal and three-point percentage, and 29th in assists per game over the three-game losing streak. Perhaps the offseason loss of Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL is finally catching up to a point guard-less Rockets squad.
Of course, VanVleet remains out as Houston hosts Chicago, but he won’t be the only Rocket watching from the sidelines. Forwards Tari Eason and Dorian Finney-Smith are also listed as out. Eason suffered a sprained ankle against the Trail Blazers and is considered day-to-day, while Finney-Smith is sidelined for left ankle injury management.
Bulls to be without their backcourt once more
Chicago, meanwhile, will again be without multiple starters, as neither Josh Giddey nor Coby White will be available. Giddey has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring strain on December 29 and will miss his seventh straight game, though there is some optimism. He has returned to the court and is participating in the non-contact portions of Bulls practices.
White suffered his injury on the same day as Giddey but has played in two games since. However, Chicago has been ultra-cautious with White, whose calf issues have persisted longer than expected. With the Bulls playing the first night of a back-to-back, White is expected to suit up tomorrow against the Utah Jazz instead.
Lastly, reserves Zach Collins and Julian Phillips round out the Bulls’ injury report. Collins has missed the last seven games with a first-toe sprain and was initially expected to return within two weeks. He is now facing a longer-term absence while seeking additional opinions on the injury. Phillips is listed as questionable with a wrist sprain, though it is not expected to sideline him for an extended period, if at all.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Houston Rockets
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), Coby White (Right Calf Injury Management).
Questionable: Julian Phillips (Left Wrist Sprain).
Houston Rockets
Out: Tari Eason (Right Ankle Sprain), Dorian Finney-Smith (Left Ankle Injury Management), Fred Vanvleet (Right Knee ACL Repair).