Following a 6-1 start, the Chicago Bulls have dropped back-to-back games to the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers, falling to 6-3. Chicago is in the midst of a challenging stretch of opponents, and the test continues as the Bulls host the 7-2 San Antonio Spurs next.
The Spurs’ impressive start to the season is even more noteworthy considering their highest-paid player, De’Aaron Fox, only made his return to the hardwood this past weekend against the New Orleans Pelicans. Fox had been dealing with a hamstring injury suffered in the offseason, but he looked sharp in his debut, scoring 24 points. Ahead of San Antonio’s matchup with Chicago, Fox is completely off the injury report.
Spurs' backcourt still not injury-free after Fox's return
The same can’t be said for the Spurs’ No. 2 overall pick from June’s draft. Six games into his NBA career, Dylan Harper suffered a calf strain that will sideline him for several weeks. While his rookie campaign has been brief, he’s looked the part so far, averaging 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in just 23.3 minutes per game.
Of course, Harper isn’t the only player expected to miss part one of Bulls vs. Spurs due to a calf strain. Coby White remains sidelined after suffering his own calf injury in August. The most recent update on White came from head coach Billy Donovan a week ago, who said, “The hope is, in a couple of weeks, he’ll play.”
Josh Giddey is a game-time decision
Nonetheless, White’s injury isn’t even the most pressing concern for Donovan’s Bulls. Chicago’s leading scorer and assist man, Josh Giddey, is listed as questionable ahead of the team’s tilt with the Spurs. Giddey suffered a sprained ankle after getting crossed over by De’Andre Hunter during the loss to Cleveland on November 8.
The 6-foot-8 guard did return to action after tweaking his ankle, but he looked noticeably hobbled. Giddey had scored 15 points before the injury but failed to add to that total afterward, going 0-for-6 from the field following his return.
If Giddey is unable to suit up, the Bulls will be without their starting backcourt against one of the Western Conference’s top teams. Expect either Ayo Dosunmu or Kevin Huerter to step into the starting lineup if Giddey can’t go.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs San Antonio Spurs
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Zach Collins (Left Scaphoid Fracture), Coby White (Right Calf Strain).
Questionable: Josh Giddey (Right Ankle Sprain).
Probable: Patrick Williams (Left Finger Sprain).
San Antonio Spurs
Out: Dylan Harper (Left Calf Strain).
Questionable: Luke Kornet (Left Ankle Sprain/Right Shoulder Sprain).