Bulls vs Trail Blazers injury report: Anfernee Simons, Den Avdija, Jalen Smith, more

The last time the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers met, Nikola Vucevic poured in 27 points, Coby White added 25 off the bench, and Ayo Dosunmu chipped in 14. The November 19 contest culminated in Vucevic’s game-winning three-pointer, which lifted Chicago to a 122–121 victory.

Roughly three months later, neither Vucevic, White, nor Dosunmu remains on the roster. Chicago will look entirely different this time around. In fact, only three players who suited up in Portland in November will take the floor tonight: Josh Giddey, Isaac Okoro, and Matas Buzelis.

Bulls to be without numerous contributors

When the teams last met, Jalen Smith and Patrick Williams both came off the bench. Neither is expected to play tonight.

Smith is listed as doubtful with a left calf strain that has sidelined him for six of the Bulls’ last 11 games. Williams, who made his fourth start of the season against the Charlotte Hornets two days ago, has since appeared on the injury report with a quad strain. He’ll miss just his fifth game of the year.

Lastly, more clarity has emerged regarding Anfernee Simons’ injury. What was initially labeled a wrist contusion has since been diagnosed as a left ulnar styloid fracture—a break along the outer portion of the wrist. The injury, however, is not new. Simons exited Chicago’s game against the Detroit Pistons early, but the fracture is an older one, and surgery is not currently being considered.

Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe out

As for the Blazers, this is largely the same team that fell 122–121 to Chicago in December. However, Portland will be without its two leading scorers for the season: Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe.

Avdija will miss his second straight game due to what the team has labeled “low back injury management,” while Sharpe is expected to be sidelined at least a month with a stress reaction in his left fibula.

Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Portland Trail Blazers

The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:

Chicago Bulls

Out: Zach Collins (Right 1st Toe Surgery), Noa Essengue (Left Shoulder Surgery), Jaden Ivey (Left Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome), Anfernee Simons (Left Ulnar Styloid Fracture).

Doubtful: Jalen Smith (Left Calf Strain), Patrick Williams (Right Quadricep Strain).

Portland Trail Blazers

Out: Deni Avdija (Lower Back Injury Management), Damian Lillard (Left Achilles Tendon Injury Management), Shaedon Sharpe (Left Calf; Fibula stress reaction).

Questionable: Robert Williams III (Right Foot Soreness), Hansen Yang (Mid Back Soreness).