Chicago Bulls basketball is back! The Bulls open the 2025–26 regular season against the Detroit Pistons, marking the much-anticipated sophomore debut of Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey's first appearance back in a Bulls uniform after signing a $100 million contract in the offseason, and with Coby White sidelined, several others will have an opportunity to make an early impression.
White is expected to miss the first six games of the regular season as he continues to recover from an offseason calf strain. Initially projected to be ready for the Bulls’ opener, the team announced earlier this week that he has resumed on-court activities but still has progress to make before being reevaluated in two weeks.
With White sidelined, either Ayo Dosunmu or Tre Jones is expected to step into the starting lineup. Another spot also remains up for grabs, likely between Kevin Huerter and Isaac Okoro. Head coach Billy Donovan noted that the Bulls’ rotation will be fluid this season, and given Detroit’s roster, starting Okoro to match up defensively with Cade Cunningham makes plenty of sense.
Jaden Ivey's anticipated return will have to wait even longer
Ultimately, the decision between Dosunmu and Jones will come down to Donovan. There would be a stronger case for Dosunmu, the bigger guard at 6-foot-5, if the Pistons’ Jaden Ivey were available. However, the fourth-year guard is expected to miss at least four weeks after undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to address discomfort in his right knee.
Throughout the preseason, Detroit has experimented with different lineups, but beyond the regular starters—Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren, and Tobias Harris—both Duncan Robinson and Ausar Thompson have been steady fixtures in the opening unit. Robinson is likely filling in for Ivey, slotting in at shooting guard. Given that the former Miami Heat wing functions almost exclusively as a spot-up marksman, starting either Dosunmu or Jones should be a suitable matchup.
In addition to Ivey, two other Pistons guards appear on the injury report: Caris LeVert and Marcus Sasser. LeVert is expected to make his Detroit debut, while Sasser has been listed as doubtful for the opener.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Detroit Pistons
The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Zach Collins (Left Scaphoid Fracture), Coby White (Right Calf Strain).
Detroit Pistons
Out: Jaden Ivey (Right Knee Arthroscopy).
Doubtful: Marcus Sasser (Right Hip Impingement).
Probable: Caris LeVert (Right Knee Soreness).