Bulls forward Patrick Williamswho has been out since Nov. 18 due to inflammation in his surgically repaired left foot, will not play in either of the team's back-to-back games on Thursday (at San Antonio) and Friday (against Indiana). Tweets KC Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.
Although Williams didn't practice with the team on Wednesday, he did train individually, according to the head coach Billy Donovanwho said the 23-year-old's window for a possible return opens next week.
Since he has yet to practice, Williams may not be ready for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, but the Bulls have four days off after that before hosting the Hornets next Friday – it sounds like he could return for that contest .
Here's more on the Bulls:
- While he admits his first 22 games this season have been “up and down,” Josh Giddey said he is doing his best to help the Bulls in any way he can and is not thinking about making the team's decision to forfeit look good Alex Caruso for him in the summer, like Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic Relay. “Anytime you get traded for a player like (Caruso), there was a lot of talk about whether it was a good trade or a bad trade.” said Giddey. “I don’t buy too much. I am confident in myself and what I can do. These guys make it easy for me to play. I’m not trying to come in here and be anything more than myself. Find ways for me to fit in and make this group better.”
- Coby White will miss a second straight game Thursday with a sprained left ankle, according to Johnson (Twitter Left), although Mayberry suggests that white should not be out for long periods of time. Another Bulls guard, Lonzo BallAccording to Johnson, he has been ruled out for Thursday's game, but this is just a case of the team managing his use in back-to-back games – the plan is to have him active on Friday against the Pacers.
- After a season-ending injury surrounded by trade rumors and questions about contract size, Zach LaVine could easily have come into camp this fall as a disgruntled star, but the Bulls continue to be impressed by his positive attitude, they say Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. LaVine told reporters Wednesday that he was in “really good shape mentally,” something that didn't go unnoticed by the head coach Billy Donovan. “Whatever his frustrations were, they were.” Donovan said. “But he managed to digest it, get through it mentally and get to the place where he is now. I really respect everything he has done. … He’s in really good shape.”
- LaVine added that he is enjoying being called upon to take on more demanding defensive duties this season, as Cowley noted. “This year was a bit of an eye opener for me as far as the guys I saw: Kobe (Bryant), Michael (Jordan)D Wade (Dwyane Wade), and it's like, 'I've always been in great shape, but okay, you also have to be at the top… strong.'” LaVine said. “Yeah, it takes a little bit (of offense), but mentally you have to dig deep there and see how bad you want it. I’m happy to take on these challenges at the moment.”
