The Chicago Bulls continue their road trip with a matchup against the Western Conference’s second-best team, the Denver Nuggets. Chicago is 0-2 on the trip and has dropped five straight games. On the second night of a back-to-back, the Bulls will face one of the league’s elite teams, led by arguably the league’s best player.
Chicago to be without two key guards
Things look bleak for the Bulls, with no silver lining, as Coby White has already been ruled out for the second night of a back-to-back. White made his season debut on November 16 against the Utah Jazz, leading the Bulls with 27 points off the bench.
Even though White returned from an 11-game calf injury, the plan was to ease him back into the rotation off the bench. He was even originally supposed to be limited to 24 minutes, but he exceeded that, playing 30 minutes against the Jazz.
The Bulls will also be without Tre Jones for a second straight game. Before facing the Jazz, Jones had started all 11 of Chicago’s contests, averaging 13.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists. He’ll miss the matchup against Denver due to an ankle impingement. In his place, Billy Donovan has turned to Kevin Huerter in the backcourt. Huerter is expected to start again against the Nuggets, with Dosunmu likely coming off the bench.
The Nuggets wing depth will be tested
Denver isn’t missing as many key players as Chicago, but one starter will be out. Christian Braun will miss his second game of the season with a left ankle sprain, which is expected to sideline him for at least six weeks. In his absence, the Nuggets have turned to offseason acquisition Tim Hardaway Jr. to fill the gap.
Additionally, Cameron Johnson is listed as questionable ahead of the Nuggets’ matchup against the Bulls. He missed his first game of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but his injury is less serious than Braun’s. The 6-foot-8 forward is dealing with a biceps strain and is currently day-to-day. If Johnson can’t play, expect David Adelman to start Peyton Watson on the wing.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs Denver Nuggets
The complete injury report for tonight’s game is as follows:
Chicago Bulls
Out: Zach Collins (Left Scaphoid Fracture), Coby White (Right Calf Strain; Return To Competition Management).
Doubtful: Tre Jones (Left Ankle Impingement).
Probable: Ayo Dosunmu ( Left Hamstring Tightness).
Denver Nuggets
Out: Christian Braun (Left Ankle Sprain), DaRon Holmes II (G League Assignment).
Questionable: Cameron Johnson (Right Biceps Strain), Julian Strawther (Lower Back Pain).
Probable: Nikola Jokic (Left Wrist Sprain).
