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UPDATE (4:34 PM CT)
Head coach Billy Donovan informed K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network that Zach LaVine will sit out tonight’s game in Charlotte. The team’s leading scorer entered the day as probable with an apparent toe injury. Johnson notes that LaVine went through shootaround, where the injury started to feel worse.
Considering the Bulls will suit up again on New Year’s Day in Washington, further clarification on LaVine’s injury should come soon. For what it’s worth, the Hornets project to be down both LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller this evening, which could have made the decision to give LaVine the night off easier.
You will find the rest of our pre-game injury report from earlier today below.
The Chicago Bulls could be without a couple of key contributors in their final game of 2024.
Ayo Dosunmu is expected to be sidelined for at least a week as he works his way through a calf strain. While the Bulls have him listed as “doubtful” on the injury report, they already announced this weekend that he will have to be re-evaluated during the second week of January. This has him in line to miss at least three more games after tonight’s contest.
Jalen Smith is also at risk of missing his second consecutive game. The backup big man didn’t pop up on the injury report until shortly before Saturday night’s game. While he took the floor to participate in shoot around, the team ultimately ruled him out with an ankle injury. He is now listed as questionable.
For what it’s worth, this isn’t a matchup where the Bulls want to be without size. The Hornets may struggle in a lot of departments, but rebounding isn’t one. They average the most second-chance points per game and hold a top-3 OREB percentage. Especially against long and strong bigs like Mark Williams and Moussa Diabate, the Bulls will want Smith on the floor. Not only does he offer a level of mobility that Vucevic can’t around the rim, but he is another big who can pull those big men away from the rim.
The good news for Chicago is that Josh Giddey responded well to his first game back after four-straight absences. He dropped a triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks and is “probable” for this evening’s matchup in Charlotte. If I had to guess, we’ll see him officially off the injury report by Wednesday’s game in Washington.
As for Charlotte, they are likely to be without their top two scores. Both LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller are doubtful with varying injuries. Their absence should roll out the red carpet for a Bulls win, but the Bulls learned against the Bucks last week that you can’t take anyone lightly.
Bulls-Hornets Injury Report
Bulls
Ayo Dosunmu – DOUBTFUL (calf)
Jalen Smith – QUESTIONABLE (ankle)
Zach LaVine – PROBABLE (toe)
Josh Giddey – PROBABLE (ankle)
Hornets
Tre Mann – OUT (disc)
Grant Williams – OUT (ACL)
Cody Martin – DOUBTFUL (knee)
Brandon Miller – DOUBTFUL (ankle)
LaMelo Ball – DOUBTFUL (wrist, ankle)
