In a matchup of two teams that couldn't be headed in more opposite directions, the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs will square off tonight (March 30) in Texas. What do the injury reports look like for both teams?
Well, one squad is healthy. Like really healthy. The other, absolutely not healthy at all.
Will that have any effect on the outcome? Or will it be a ho-hum shellacking for Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs over this Matas Buzelis-led Chicago squad? That scenario would be best for both franchises.
Bulls' injury woes continue ... although it doesn't really matter anymore
Buzelis and Josh Giddey are leading a team mathematically eliminated from the postseason and destined for a lottery pick — a middling, back-half-of-the-lottery selection most likely, given Chicago's recent history.
The only question marks on the team's injury report come in the front court — a spot the Bulls have been thin on since the trade deadline. Or, realistically, far longer than that.
Center Nick Richards is questionable to face the Spurs with an elbow issue, and forward Guerschon Yabusele joins him in that status with an ankle problem.
Otherwise, it's more of the same for a Bulls team with several key contributors out for the season, including guards Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons, rookie forward Noa Essengue and big man Jalen Smith.
It's slim pickings for coach Billy Donovan. But it's probably better that way.
Spurs, Wembanyama are healthy and rolling
San Antonio is on an eight-game winning streak. It's only lost twice since Feb. 1.
Unless something wild happens tonight, the Spurs will go two full calendar months having only lost two games.
A pair of fun Bulls-related notes: San Antonio's last two wins have come against the Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks, two teams Chicago is jockeying with for lottery positioning. Maybe Wemby can help Bulls fans out by crushing their team by 30 and increasing those odds.
Also, Emmanuel Miller, who has spent time with Chicago on a two-way contract, is now a member of the Spurs organization in that same role.
Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs Injury Report
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Zach Collins (toe surgery); Noa Essengue (shoulder surgery); Jaden Ivey (knee); Anfernee Simons (wrist); Jalen Smith (calf)
Questionable: Nick Richards (elbow); Guerschon Yabusele (ankle)
San Antonio Spurs
Out: Harrison Ingram (G League); Emmanuel Miller (G League); David Jones Garcia (G League)