The story of the Chicago Bulls 2023-24 season simply could not be told without listing off the extensive number of injuries they've suffered. Down Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball, and Patrick Williams, the Bulls have been dealt a horrible hand without three of their five starters and an enormous amount of their cap space sitting on the bench.
Despite this, the Bulls have managed to overcome these setbacks and win 24 of their 44 games played without both LaVine and Lonzo. They even have a chance to get back to a .500 winning percentage for the first time since the season opener tonight against the Houston Rockets.
The Bulls may be in luck here, as the Rockets are also significantly banged up and missing several key contributors — including breakout star Alperen Sengun — which may help even the playing field. Still, it won't be easy beating Houston if the Bulls are forced to play without their own breakout star Coby White, who has missed Chicago's last three games after suffering a hip injury during a chasedown block sequence during a matchup against the Pacers.
Coby White fell down hard and appears to injure his right leg on the awkward landing.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 14, 2024
Hope the Bulls guard is okay 🙏🏽pic.twitter.com/yA7p7Fesd1
Coby White's status for tonight's game vs. Rockets
Fortunately, the Bulls have managed to keep the ship afloat even with Coby resting on the bench, winning two of three games while he was sidelined. They may have to keep their winning ways up in his absence once again, as White is officially listed as questionable ahead of tonight's game. Check back here for updates regarding his availability closer to tip-off.
UPDATE: Coby White has been upgraded to available. He will come off the bench as he reincorporates himself into the rotation.
Julian Phillips' status for tonight's game vs. Rockets
Coby won't be the only young talent Chicago will be forced to play without, as rookie Julian Phillips will sit this one out as well. The 35th overall pick in last year's draft has been given a much larger role in recent weeks due to injuries depleting the roster's depth, but he now finds himself landing on the injury report as well. Phillips is dealing with a right ankle sprain and has been listed out indefinitely.
Projected Bulls starting lineup
- PG: Ayo Dosunmu
- SG: Alex Caruso
- SF: Torrey Craig
- PF: DeMar DeRozan
- C: Nikola Vucevic
Projected Rockets starting lineup
- PG: Fred VanVleet
- SG: Jalen Green
- SF: Amen Thompson
- PF: Dillon Brooks
- C: Jabari Smith Jr.
Full Bulls injury report
QUESTIONABLE - Coby White, Alex Caruso
OUT - Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, Julian Phillips, Lonzo Ball
Full Rockets injury report
OUT - Alperen Sengun, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, Steven Adams
Bulls' upcoming schedule
- March 23 vs. Boston Celtics
- March 25 vs. Washington Wizards
- March 27 vs. Indiana Pacers
- March 29 @ Brooklyn Nets
- March 31 @ Minnesota Timberwolves