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The Chicago Bulls are reportedly considering going after the 2025-26 Coach of the Year contender who is still under contract with the Western Conference playoff team.

After a 31–51 finish and fourth consecutive loss on the season, Billy Donovan decided to step down from his role as head coach of the Bulls. Now, following the installation of a new head of basketball operations in Bryson Graham and his spot at No. 4 in the NBA Draft set, NBA insider Jake Fisher claims the team is expected to “accelerate” the search for Donovan’s replacement.

With the Bulls coming on strong from the start, the team is casting a wide net in its search for its next head coach. Interestingly, this may also include buying and selling of coaches from the West. Fisher reports that Chicago is expected to formally request an interview with Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter.

The seven-year NBA veteran was put in a very difficult situation after taking over as head coach of the Trail Blazers when his predecessor Chauncey Billups was arrested for his role in a federal gambling investigation, one game into the season.

The first-time head coach did an impressive job guiding Portland to their first winning record (42-40) and the playoffs since 2020-21. Additionally, former Washington Wizards lottery pick Deni Avdija went from being a good player to a legitimate All-Star in 2025-26 under Splitter’s watch. The 41-year-old Brazilian deserves a lot of credit for the work he did last season, yet new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon didn’t appreciate it.

Dundon have been searching for a new coach for several months and are reportedly looking for a new coach at a budget rate. Splitter is still under contract with Portland for one more season. Therefore, unless the Trail Blazers want to release him from his deal, the Bulls will have to trade for the coach’s rights if they want to make him their next head coach.

Still, despite the ongoing search for his replacement, Fisher reports, “Whispers were spreading on Monday [Splitter getting the full-time job] This cannot be denied now.” An NBA insider suggests this may be the reason why Portland declined Chicago’s request for an interview.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Following their fourth consecutive loss on the season, the inevitable happened, and Billy Donovan’s tenure as head coach of the Chicago Bulls ended when he officially “resigned” from his position on Tuesday.

At the beginning of the week, it was still unclear whether Donovan would follow general manager Mark Eversley and executive vice president Arturas Karnisovas after they were fired by the Bulls earlier this month. There were also recent reports that the former Florida and Oklahoma City Thunder coach could gain even more influence in the organization.

However, Donovan would end his run with a 226–256 record and just one playoff trip in six seasons. So who could the Chicago Bulls make their next head coach? We present five possible options, including former head coach Tom Thibodeau.

taylor jenkins

Taylor Jenkins helped turn the Memphis Grizzlies into a consistent playoff contender in the Western Conference. However, his inability to manage Ja Morant and his on- and off-court issues played a role in his surprise exit at the end of last season.

The 41-year-old certainly deserves another chance as a head coach in the NBA and has shown he can develop talent. This is a must-have trait for the Bulls’ next coach. Jenkins will get some good pieces to start in Matas Bouzelis and Josh Giddy.

tom thibodeau

In the NBA, you have rarely seen a coach returning to a franchise after a breakup. But other than a few good seasons from Scott Skiles at the turn of the century, Tom Thibodeau is the only coach who has pushed the Bulls back into title contention since the Michael Jordan era.

Yes, his inability to reach the NBA Finals since being fired by Chicago in 2015 continues. But he showed with the New York Knicks that he still knows how to turn a program around and make them a consistent playoff contender. This is what the Bulls need right now. A strong, capable coach who has mastered the art of turning teams into very competitive units year after year.

Sam Cassel

Sam Cassel had a really good 15-year career as a player, winning three NBA championships. But since 2009, he has built a strong reputation as a top assist during several stops, including with the Los Angeles Clippers and currently the Boston Celtics.

For many years, he has been viewed as someone who is worthy of the head coaching job, and it is only a matter of time before a franchise finally gives him a chance. He should definitely be considered for Chicago.

Mika Nori

Another top assistant who has been linked to multiple head coaching jobs over the past few years is Minnesota Timberwolves assistant, Micah Nouri. He’s been learning on an NBA bench for 17 seasons and with five different teams. Of the various assistants in the game, there is none more prepared and respected than Nori.

chris quinn

Miami Heat assistant coach Chris Quinn is a man who is sure to get a top job soon. He has been with the organization for 12 years and is Erik Spoelstra’s top assistant. The Heat and their culture is one of the most respected in the game due to their potential. Quinn is one of the franchise’s greatest retainers and can bring to Chicago what has worked for him over the past decade.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Chicago Bulls Guard Jaden Ivey was pardoned Monday after allegedly making anti-LGBTQ comments on social media. Ivey had already been ruled out for the rest of the season with a left knee injury.

Following the incident, the shooting guard received considerable support, including from New England Patriots running back Treveon Henderson.

In a post on his X page, Henderson expressed sympathy for Ivey by sharing what the player said that led to his release. He then used a Bible verse, Matthew 5:10, to show support for the 24-year-old guard.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” Henderson tweeted.

Jaden Ivey was having the best year of his career last season before suffering a foot injury. As a result, Ivey missed out on a rookie max extension, as he moved down the Detroit Pistons’ pecking order this season.

Thus, he played limited minutes and was traded to the Chicago Bulls at the deadline as part of a three-way deal. minnesota timberwolves.

It’s going to be an interesting summer for the Ivies, full of potential. However, his recent comments could prove problematic for him for other teams.

Former NBA player also supported Jaden Ivey

Apart from Trevion Henderson, Jaden Ivey also received support from former NBA star Royce White. The player-turned-politician hopes to run for senator in Minnesota this summer, so he used the current issue as part of his campaign.

“Boom…freedom of speech? You now have to support sucking dick to play in the NBA? What a blow this is to American culture! Get it, massive blow? Seriously, can we reel this in? What’s even that?” White tweeted.

Although Ivy had the right to say whatever he wanted, he was presumably not free from the terms of being employed by a private franchise like the Chicago Bulls.

However, it will be interesting to see how the 24-year-old player weathers this storm and which team he eventually lands up in.

Since his first foray into online journalism in 2019, Peter Okereke has written widely on entertainment, politics and pop… More about Peter Okereke

The Chicago Bulls have seen a lot of drama this season, but nothing like the Jayden Ivy situation. What started as a locker room whisper has turned into one of the strangest stories in the NBA this year.

Reporters, social media and a mid-flight Instagram Live all played a role in exposing a side of Ivey that no one expected to see.

According to Bulls insider Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Jaden Ivey’s postgame interviews were nothing out of the ordinary. Instead of the usual basketball discussion, Ivey would turn press sessions into full-on sermons.

He would ask reporters personal questions about his faith, including whether he was “saved” and whether he had “committed adultery before marriage.”

Sources close to the situation said that before Ivey arrived in Chicago, people around the Detroit Pistons were already calling him “the preacher”, but even that label did not fully explain what was going on.

What’s really going on around Jaden Ivey?

The situation quickly deteriorated after Ivey turned to social media. After the Bulls held a Pride Night event, Ivey went on Instagram Live and openly challenged the NBA’s LGBTQ advocacy. According to The Athletic, Ivey said on the livestream:

“The world can declare LGBTQ, right? They declare Pride Month. And the NBA, they declare it. They show it to the world. They say, ‘Come join us for Pride Month, to celebrate inequity.’ They promote it on billboards. They promote it on the streets. Unrighteousness.”

The Bulls took action the same day and waived Ivy on March 30 for “conduct detrimental to the team”.

The live stream that said it all

Instead of staying quiet, Ivey got on Instagram Live and kept going until a flight attendant came over and shut it down. On stream, Ivey slammed the Bulls’ decision, saying:

“[The Bulls] Said that my conduct is harmful for the team. Why didn’t they say, ‘We don’t agree with his stance on LGBTQ’? Why didn’t he say so? How is this behavior harmful to the team? What did I do with the team? What did I do with the players?”

He also opened up about his personal past, sharing on Instagram:

“The NBA was everything to me. I didn’t know God. When I came to the NBA I was a womanizer, I was an alcoholic and a drunk. That’s all I knew. After all those points I felt good… I felt like everything was laid out for me.”

Mid-flight the live stream ended abruptly when a flight attendant interrupted him mid-sentence and caught him saying:

“All I’m preaching is about Jesus Christ… I’m telling you they’ll cancel me… He sees the things you’re doing at night… Obscenity… Adultery… Lies…” – at which point the flight attendant interjected: “I’m sorry to bother you… Are you on your mobile?”

Jayesh Pagar is currently studying Sports Journalism from London School of Journalism and has four years of experience… More about Jayesh Pagar

The North Carolina Tar Heels turned to pro sports two years ago when they needed to find a new head coach for the football program. Now that they are in the market for a men’s basketball coach, the same approach can be used with someone acquired from the NBA.

Amid reports that he is an option under consideration in the Tar Heels coaching search, Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan did not deny that he would be interested in the North Carolina coaching job. However, for now he is focused on his role in Chicago.

“My main focus is on these guys and this new team. I understand there’s a lot out there, and I understand there will be some speculation. But, I have to focus on this group, and really, my focus is on what we’re doing here in Chicago, having a game tonight, and traveling to play a back-to-back.”

Chicago Bulls HC Billy Donovan on potential interest in being considered as part of the North Carolina Tar Heels coaching search (h/t The Athletic)

RELATED: Latest on North Carolina Tar Heels coaching search

Donovan, who will turn 61 in May, was once one of the best coaches in college basketball. He won six regular season SEC titles and back-to-back national championships along with four Final Four appearances with the Florida Gators.

After posting a 467–186 record (.715 winning percentage) at Florida, Donovan made the jump to the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder prior to the 2015–16 NBA season. ^{He recorded a .608 winning percentage in five seasons with the franchise, but his record in the NBA playoffs was only 18–23.}

RELATED: North Carolina Tar Heels coaching candidates

One thing worth noting is that Chicago Sun-Times It was reported that there were rumors in the NBA that Donovan might leave the position of head coach of Chicago and then take a year off. Instead, he may decide to return to college basketball for the first time in more than a decade.

This would be a bit risky for both parties. Donovan was a men’s college basketball coach long before the NIL era and won national championships when future NBA stars like Joakim Noah and Al Horford coached him for multiple seasons.

Donovan wasn’t the only guy under consideration in the NBA. North Carolina reportedly had interest in Boston Celtics executive Brad Stevens, but he has opted to remain in his current role

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Joel Embiid has earned an unfortunate reputation throughout his career. Although he is one of the best centers of his generation, the Philadelphia 76ers star often finds himself on the sidelines. Injuries have been a sadly common theme for the star centre, as his body has suffered a number of injuries throughout his career.

The same can be said this season also. Embiid has already missed more than half the season after undergoing knee surgery earlier this season. The 76ers center played his first game since suffering an oblique strain this past Wednesday. After the win over the Chicago Bulls, Embiid talked about his injury and why his oblique injury is “harder” to recover from than a knee injury.

“My knees haven’t been a problem for a long time,” Embiid explained. “That’s a thing of the past for me. The slant was very tricky, and it’s still tricky. You can’t really do anything about it, you have to let it play out and hope it doesn’t get worse.”

Before the game against the Bulls, Embiid had missed the previous 13 games due to an oblique strain. However, before that injury, the 76ers star missed a large portion of the season after undergoing knee surgery. The surgery was performed after the 2024-25 season and was intended to alleviate the problems Embiid has suffered over the past few years.

Embiid’s return comes at the right time for the 76ers. Star point guard Tyrese Maxey is still out with a finger injury and could be out for a few more games. With Philadelphia firmly in the playoff race, the team needs every player on its roster to make one last effort.

The 76ers will get another big boost for home expansion. Paul George, who was suspended for 25 games earlier this season for violating the NBA’s drug use policy, returned against the Bulls. George finished the game with 28 points, six rebounds and four assists, while Embiid was dominant with 35 points, six rebounds, seven assists and one block.

The 76ers are in seventh place with a 40-33 record, just a half-game behind the sixth-seeded Toronto Raptors and the final guaranteed playoff spot.

Veteran Philadelphia 76ers point guard Kyle Lowry may rarely see action in the 2025-26 NBA season, but on a special night on Wednesday, he was allowed to take the field against the Chicago Bulls at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

After all, Wednesday is his day, as he celebrates his 40th birthday.

With the 76ers victory literally in the bag, Lowry entered the contest, sending fans into a frenzy inside the building and online.

It got even worse when the six-time NBA All-Star drained a 3-pointer to tie the game with just 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

happy birthday kyle lowry pic.twitter.com/qMvzPeD90c

– J🐐 (@sixersjustin) 26 March 2026

And here are some of the reactions from fans on social media to Lowry’s appearance at the game — and his 3-pointer during the Sixers’ 157-137 win.

“Kyle Lowry three pointer on his 40th birthday 🔥 Good night!” one fan said.

Another social media user commented, “Kyle Lowry buried three on his 40th birthday and everyone went crazy. Forgot how much fun nights out are in this area.”

A separate comment said, “I can’t help but get excited when Kyle Lowry checks in to the game.”

Via another commentator: “Okay, seeing the bench celebrating with Kyle Lowry after the 3 warmed my heart.”

Lowry is on a one-year, $3.63 million contract with the 76ers.

Meanwhile, Joel Embiid and Paul George lead the way for Philadelphia. Returning from an injury absence, Embiid dropped 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting with seven assists and six rebounds, while George, returning from a 25-game suspension, scored 28 points on 11-of-22 shooting with six 3-pointers, six rebounds and four assists.

Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan is considered one of the leading candidates to take over as head coach of the North Carolina basketball program, league sources tell ClutchPoints. Hubert Davis was fired by the UNC Tar Heels after five seasons, and the school is moving quickly to add a high-profile coach to lead its historic program for the foreseeable future.

Whether or not Donovan will actually leave the NBA to become UNC’s next head coach after spending the last decade coaching professionally is the major question being asked in both the NBA and collegiate ranks.

North Carolina is expected to contact Donovan soon and have talks about his vacant head coaching role, with sources telling ClutchPoints that the Bulls coach would “seriously consider” the idea of ​​taking over the historic program if offered the job.

Donovan has never ruled out a possible return to coaching again at the collegiate level, and that opportunities like the one at UNC will likely arise again.

Donovan, a two-time NCAA championship coach with the Florida Gators, has spent the last 11 seasons in the NBA. He was originally hired by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015 before signing a lucrative four-year contract worth approximately $25 million to become the head coach of the Bulls in 2020.

Less than a year earlier, in July, Donovan signed a new multi-year contract extension making him one of the league’s highest-paid coaches. Sources say Donovan is being paid $10 million per year on this new extension with the Bulls.

Although it is not certain whether he will leave the Bulls and the NBA to take over the UNC basketball program, Donovan’s future in Chicago has become a significant discussion topic among league personnel over the past month.

Billy Donovan’s future in Chicago is uncertain

While the Bulls have no intention of moving on from Donovan even though the 2025-26 season marks the franchise’s fourth consecutive season that has missed the playoffs, the latest rumors point to the 60-year-old head coach being unsure about his commitment to the organization.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls’ lack of direction has led Donovan to think about his future. As a result, there is growing speculation that Donovan is possibly stepping down to get his coaching career back on a successful path.

Donovan has never been one to bounce from one job to the next, given his time as a collegiate coach, which is why his perceived sense of skepticism in the overall direction of the Bulls will be a selling point in a potential new deal to become UNC’s next head coach.

In addition to keeping Donovan at the top of the list of potential candidates, the UNC Tar Heels selected Boston Celtics executive and former head coach Brad Stevens as the university’s top choice for their coaching vacancy. However, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, Stevens has already removed his name from the university’s list of prospects.

When contacted for confirmation on the matter, league sources told ClutchPoints that Stevens has no desire to leave the Celtics and is fully committed to competing for and winning more championships in Boston.

In addition to Donovan, high-level coaches such as Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd, Michigan’s Dusty Mays and Alabama’s Nate Oats have come up as rumored targets for UNC.

Since taking over the role of Bulls head coach in 2020, Donovan has compiled a record of 224–247, including 71 games this season, with only one postseason appearance in 2022. After winning 39 games each of the last two years, Donovan and the Bulls took a step back this year and will enter the offseason with a ton of questions revolving around roster construction.

This has led to many questions being asked among NBA personnel about Donovan’s long-term future with the Bulls, one of which revolves around whether he would really consider going back to college to a prolific program like North Carolina if offered the job.

The Philadelphia 76ers will take the field for a home game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday evening. Joel Embiid is on the injury report, currently listed as questionable due to a right oblique strain. Everything we know about Embiid’s injury and his playing status on Wednesday against the Bulls.

Joel Embiid’s playing situation against the Bulls

Joel Embiid hasn’t appeared in a game for the 76ers since late February as he’s been dealing with an oblique strain, so his upgrade to questionable on the injury report before the Bulls game is certainly an encouraging sign, even if he doesn’t ultimately suit up for it.

Tyrese Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. will be out for the 76ers in this one, while Paul George is back in the lineup after serving a league-mandated suspension of 25 games. Quentin Grimes is questionable due to an illness.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have listed forward Anfernee Simmons as questionable due to a left ulnar styloid fracture, while Isaac Okoro is also questionable due to right patellofemoral pain syndrome. Guershon Yabusele is questionable with a left ankle sprain.

The 76ers are currently in seventh place in the Eastern Conference due to consecutive losses to both the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic, and they are looking to bounce back after losing to the Oklahoma City Thunder at home earlier this week.

Philadelphia is a game back from the Atlanta Hawks, who occupy the coveted number six seed in the conference, which represents an opportunity to avoid the play-in round altogether.

In any case, the 76ers and Bulls are scheduled to tip off from Philadelphia on Wednesday at 7:00 PM ET.

There are no guarantees on the NBA calendar, and that was made abundantly clear on Monday night, the way the Houston Rockets slipped on a banana peel and lost to the Chicago Bulls, 132-124, despite a 40-point night from Kevin Durant. The Rockets were playing from behind all night, and while they made a strong comeback to close the game, even taking the lead at one point late in the fourth, they ultimately lost and fell to 43–28 on the year.

Rockets head coach Ime Udoka lost his temper at the end of the game, as he ejected himself after an offensive foul by Durant sealed the game in the Bulls’ favor and the game was out of his team’s reach. And his bad mood continued after the final buzzer, as he lamented the poor effort his team showed against a lottery-bound Bulls team.

“Bad start, disrespect to the game, not ready from the start. Just non-aggressive, chasing them, watching them shoot. They had nothing to lose, they were gonna fire. Obviously, giving up 41 points in that first quarter is disappointing. It was a quarter that killed us. Not ready to play at all,” Udoka said in his postgame presser, via FullCourtPass on X (formerly Twitter).

Rockets fans have had enough of Ime Udoka

Rockets fans made it clear that it is Udoka’s responsibility to lead their team against a lousy team (on paper).

“Okay, if you were a good coach, maybe you would have groomed them in advance so they don’t look bad. Your coaching disrespects the game,” wrote X user @shaef__.

@defnotsmoj_ said, “You’ve been saying this all season. If the players aren’t listening to you then maybe you’re the problem.”

“This is the crap that bothers me. You’re the coach. You have to prepare your team to play on any given day. The constant lack of accountability while trying to wear down the opponent is bothering Im,” @_MaxClark continued.

The Cleveland Cavaliers will face the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night in the second game of their road trip. Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable on the injury report with an eye injury. Jarrett Allen is out for the Cavs as he deals with right knee tendinitis.

Here’s everything we know about the game situation for Donovan Mitchell vs. the Bulls.

Donovan Mitchell’s injury status vs. Bulls

When it comes to the question of whether Donovan Mitchell is playing tonight against the Bulls, the answer is probably. Mitchell’s name was not included on the injury report until the afternoon due to a left eye injury. There was plenty of bloodshed in the Cavs’ win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

“I can’t really see out of my left eye tonight,” Mitchell said after a 19-point performance on 4-of-14 from the floor. Their focus was on making an impact with the ball and on the glass while Evan Mobley and James Harden continued to build their chemistry.

Cleveland will also be without Jarrett Allen for the seventh consecutive game, and based on the latest update we know he will be sidelined again on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Craig Porter Jr. is expected to be out at least a week with a left groin strain, while Tyrese Proctor has still not been cleared to play because of a right quadriceps strain.

No surprises on the Bulls’ injury sheet. Zach Collins, Jaden Ivey and Noah Esengue are out of action, while a pair of their two-way players are on assignment with the G League Windy City.

Cavs injury report

Donovan Mitchell: Suspect (injury in left eye)

Jarrett Allen: Out (tendinitis of the right knee)

Craig Porter Jr: out (stretching the left waist)

Tyrese Proctor: Out (right quad strain)

OLIVIER SARR: AUGUST (Two-Way G League Assignment)

oxen injury report

Jaden Ivy: Out (left patellofemoral syndrome)

Zach Collins: out (right big toe surgery)

Noah Asengue: Out (left shoulder surgery)

Yuki Kawamura: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Mac McClung: Out (Two-Way G League Assignment)

Miami Heat president Pat Riley is furious with NBA fans and analysts who have tried to dismiss Bam Adebayo’s historic 83-point game this week.

Earlier this week, Adebayo not only had the greatest single-game performance in Heat history, but one of the best scoring performances in NBA history. On March 10, the Miami big man hit seven three-pointers and an absurd 36 free throws en route to scoring 83 points in a win over the Washington Wizards.

While Adebayo’s performance did not earn the record for most points in a single NBA game – which is still held by Wilt Chamberlain and his 100-point game in 1962 – he passed Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant for the No. 2 spot on the all-time list. And this upset many fans and pundits of the game.

Hours after his performance of a lifetime, Adebayo received lots of love from around the world. However, there was a large section of NBA fans and experts who were not fans of his record-breaking night. The biggest point of contention was the number of free throws he shot – Bryant had 20 free throw attempts in his 81-point game – and how the Heat helped him reach 83 by drawing fouls late in the game to Adebayo to get more scoring opportunities.

Pat Riley hits back at Bam Adebayo haters

Well, one person who thinks the hate Adebayo is getting is a bunch of bullshit is Heat President Pat Riley. And the great coach and executive lashed out at the haters on Saturday.

“It’s all bulls***,” Riley told the Miami Herald. “It really is. Anybody who was negative on it, anybody who was cynical about it, anybody who talked about it the way they talked negatively about it, they’re either trying to get views, hits, or they’re podcasters, and that’s their job.

He said, “There are critics today who are very unfair in what was going on with the strategy, and we were fouled, and they were fouled. Same thing happened with Wilt Chamberlain when he scored 100 in the day.” “But I don’t buy any of that. He gave an iconic, absolutely incredible performance, and they tried to dismiss it. And that’s not fair.”

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Chicago Bulls will visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. Isaac Okoro and Collin Sexton are listed as questionable on the NBA injury report. Okoro Wright has been battling patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Meanwhile, Sexton is batting with a left fibular head injury. On Thursday, the Bulls lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 142-130 in a tense battle. Here’s everything we know about Isaac Okoro and Collin Sexton’s injuries and their game status vs. the Clippers.

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Isaac Okoro and Collin Sexton’s injury status vs. Clippers

Given that Isaac Okoro and Collin Sexton are listed as questionable, it is assumed that they will not play. Both have been on the injury list this season. Sexton, while with the Charlotte Hornets, missed eight games due to quad/thigh and hamstring injuries. He suffered a neck injury in November.

During the trade deadline, Sexton was traded to Chicago in a deal that sent Coby White to the Hornets. Despite scoring 28 points against the Sacramento Kings on March 7, Sexton was taken out of the game with a concussion.

Sexton was absent against the Golden State Warriors and Lakers.

Okoro has missed several games due to neck, back/neck and knee injuries. He missed the Lakers’ game on Thursday.

Overall, Sexton is averaging 14.6 points per game. Okoro, meanwhile, is averaging 9.0 points per game. Additionally, the Bulls are 27-39 and have lost seven of their last 10 games.

So when it comes to the question of whether Isaac Okoro and Collin Sexton are playing against the Lakers tonight, the answer is no.

oxen injury report

Isaac Okoro (right patellofemoral pain syndrome) – doubtful

Colin Sexton (contusion of left fibular head) – questionable.

Jalen Smith (left calf strain) – probable

Patrick Williams (left ankle sprain) – questionable

Guershon Yabusele (left foot sore) – doubtful

Jaden Ivy (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)-out

Effernie Simmons (left ulnar styloid; fracture) – Outside

shear injury report

Bradley Beal (left hip fracture) – out

John Collins (neck strain)-out

Darius Garland (left toe injury management) – OUT

Yannick Konan Niederhauser (right Lisfranc ligament; rupture) – OUT

The Los Angeles Clippers are set to host the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. However, is Darris Garland playing in tonight’s game vs. the Bulls?

Garland is listed on the injury report with a left toe injury management. LA is monitoring his situation and taking a cautious approach. Garland has made a big impact with the Clippers since being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles wants him to stay healthy for a potential postseason appearance.

Everything we know about Darius Garland’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the Bulls.

Darius Garland’s injury status vs. Bulls

According to the NBA injury report, Garland is listed out for Friday’s game.

Garland has faced injury concerns this season. As mentioned, the Clippers are proceeding with caution regarding his toe injury. He won’t play Friday, but Los Angeles should still be in a respectable position to earn a win against the 27-39 Bulls.

When it comes to the question of whether Darius Garland is playing tonight against the Bulls, the answer is no.

clippers injury report

The Clippers have four players listed on the injury report for Friday night’s game.

• Darius Garland (left toe injury management): out
• Bradley Beal (left hip fracture): Out
• John Collins (neck strain): out
• Yannick Konan Niederhauser (right Lisfranc ligament rupture): out

The Bulls were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers 142-130 on Thursday. Friday’s game represents the second game of a back-to-back, meaning Chicago’s injury report has not been released as of the publication of this story.

No one scored 83 points in the Association Thursday night, but someone rallied for a 50-point triple-double, thanks to none other than Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Doncic.

The former NBA scoring champion tore apart the Bulls’ defense in a memorable performance. In just 37 minutes, Doncic scored 51 points and came just one assist away from a 50-point triple-double, as he had 10 rebounds and nine dimes.

He pushed it from behind the arc, knocking down nine triples on 14 attempts. He was 17-for-31 overall from the field and 8-for-9 from the charity stripe. Despite having the ball in his hands most of the time, Doncic turned the ball over only once.

A night after Bam Adebayo surpassed Kobe Bryant’s 81 points, Doncic gave Lakers and basketball fans a stellar stat line to celebrate.

“Luka smiling at that Lakers gold after 51-10-9? Pure joy 🔥 Trade of the century!”. one fan said.

Another commented, “Moral hoops by the GOAT. He had 73 ts.”

X, formerly a social media user on Twitter, shared, “All class Luka. Amazing game.”

“An honest 51 too,” one comment read.

“Luka putting on a show again. Back-to-back 50-point nights?”. a separate social media commentator said.

Luka Doncic also loves facing the bulls. He had 46 points in last January’s meeting with Chicago in the Windy City. The good news for Chicago is that it won’t be until the 2026-27 NBA season that they’ll share the court with Doncic again.

The win over the Bulls improved the Lakers’ record to 41–25 and extended L.A.’s winning streak to four games.

Not even the threat of an automatic suspension stopped Los Angeles Lakers superstar guard Luka Doncic from playing with some attitude, at least for a moment, in Thursday night’s home game against the visiting Chicago Bulls.

During one possession in the first half, Doncic swung a step-back jumper past the outstretched arm of Bulls forward Matas Bouzelis in his face.

After missing a 3-point shot, Doncic turned to Buzelis and said a few words toward the Bulls forward as the two made their way to the other end of the court. Bouzelis also appeared to say something to Doncic, who smiled as he prepared to play defense.

You can watch their exchange here.

Luca has words for Matas Buzelis after stepback trey

Doncic is one technical away from automatic suspension.pic.twitter.com/cMpQDODafo

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 13 March 2026

Dončić is difficult enough to guard, and dealing with his antics can make the job even more difficult for anyone who tries to guard him. The thought of getting cooked by Doncic and talking trash every now and then can break a person, though that doesn’t seem to be the case with Bouzelis.

If Doncic looked a little more confident than usual against the Bulls, it’s probably because of what he did against them the last time the two teams met. In late January, the former NBA scoring champion gave Chicago 46 points on 15-25 shooting from the field with 12 assists and seven rebounds along with eight 3-pointers in 38 minutes of action in a 129-118 Los Angeles victory in the Windy City.

Doncic entered the Bulls rematch with season averages of 32.5 points, 8.5 assists and 7.9 rebounds.

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to host the Chicago Bulls on Thursday night. However, both teams are struggling with injuries. For the Lakers, LeBron James is among the players dealing with injury concerns.

The Lakers are proceeding with caution when it comes to the 41-year-old’s availability. He is currently battling a right hip injury and arthritis in his left foot.

Everything we know about James’ status for tonight’s game vs. the Bulls.

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Lebron james injury status vs bulls

According to the NBA’s injury report, James is listed as questionable for Thursday night’s game.

The Lakers are 40-25 and are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, while the Bulls are 27-38 and are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference. LA is ready for a big game, but the team would love to have LeBron available.

As far as the question of whether LeBron James is playing against the Bulls tonight, the answer is probably.

lakers injury report

The Lakers have four players listed on the injury report.

• Jackson Hayes (back pain): Probable
• LeBron James (right hip injury, left foot arthritis): Questionable
• Maxi Kleber (lumbar sprain): doubtful
• Marcus Smart (right hip injury): questionable

oxen injury report

There is an injury report for 12 Bulls players.

• Matas Buzzellis (right ankle sprain): Probable
• Josh Giddy (right ankle sprain): probable
• Jalen Smith (left calf strain): probable
• Isaac Okoro (right patellofemoral pain syndrome): doubtful
• Colin Sexton (left fibular head contusion): doubtful
• Patrick Williams (sprained left ankle): Questionable
• Guershon Yabusele (pain in left foot): doubtful
• Zach Collins (right toe surgery): out
• Noah Esengue (left shoulder surgery): out
• Jaden Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome): out
• Effernie Simmons (left ulnar styloid fracture): out
• Mac McClung (G League two-way): out

The Chicago Bulls visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night. Josh Giddy and Matas Buzzelis are listed as probable. Both have recently sprained their right ankle. On Tuesday, Bouzelis and Giddy played key roles in the Bulls’ 130–124 OT win over the Golden State Warriors. Bouzelis finished with a career-high 41 points. Meanwhile, Giddy moved into 20th place on the all-time list with a triple-double of 21 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds. Here’s everything we know about Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis’ injuries and their game status against the Lakers.

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Injury status of Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis vs. Lakers

Given that Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis are listed as probable on the injury report, the assumption is that they will both be out against the Lakers. Giddy has been a fixture on the injury report, particularly during the second half of the season.

From late December to late January, Giddy missed 11 games due to a hamstring injury. On January 22, Giddy made his return against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He scored 21 points off the bench and the Bulls won 120–115.

So far, Giddy has averaged 17.7 points, 8.7 assists and 8.4 rebounds over the course of 43 games. Meanwhile, Bouzelis has missed only one game this season due to injury. He was absent from the Bulls’ game against the Phoenix Suns on March 5.

Overall, Bouzelis averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 62 games.

The Bulls are 27-38 and have lost 7 of their last 10 games.

So when the question comes up about whether Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis are playing tonight against the Lakers, the answer is probably yes.

oxen injury report

Matus Buzzellis (right ankle sprain) – probable

Josh Giddy (right ankle sprain) – probable

Jalen Smith (left calf strain) – probable

Jaden Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)-out

Effernie Simmons (left ulnar styloid; fracture) – Outside

Isaac Okoro (right patellofemoral pain syndrome) – doubtful

Patrick Williams (sprained left ankle) – questionable

Guershon Yabusele (left foot, soreness) – doubtful

Lakers injury report

LeBron James (right hip injury, left foot arthritis) – questionable

Maxi Kleber (lumbar strain) – doubtful

Jackson Hayes (back pain) – probable

Marcus Smart (right hip injury) – questionable.

Prime Documentary Soul Power: Legends of the American Basketball Association Interest in the American Basketball Association (ABA) has increased again. Giving the younger generation the opportunity to learn from the players who fundamentally changed the game. Artis Gilmore was among them.

Gilmore played for the Kentucky Colonels from 1971 to 1976. His 7-foot-2 frame, trademark afro and prowess in the paint made him the quintessential basketball personality of that era. After all, the ABA was the rebel pro basketball league. His trademark red, white and blue balls, high-flying dunks, three-point shots and playground ethos paved the way for what exists today.

Gilmore garnered a lot of praise during that time. In 1972, he was named ABA Rookie of the Year and MVP. Two years later, Gilmore was the All-Star MVP. In 1975, he led the Colonels to the ABA title and was the playoff MVP.

After the ABA/NBA merger in 1976, Gilmore played with the Chicago Bulls until 1982. Twice, the Bulls made the playoffs in 1977 and 1981. Additionally, Gilmore was selected to four All-Star teams and averaged 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds per game.

However, Gilmore told ClutchPoints he has everything but one regret about Chicago. He wishes he had eventually played with Hall of Famers.

Gilmore said, “It was a really cool experience, but unfortunately, I think about all the players who have had a lot of success.” “Each of those players have two or three Hall of Famers, but I never had that honor during my career in Chicago.”

“You have to have at least three Hall of Famers on the team to have any hope of achieving excellence and making a difference.”

In 1987, Gilmore played another season with the Bulls alongside Michael Jordan.

Artis Gilmore wants his ABA record to be included among NBA records

Since the ABA disbanded, the records set are not included with NBA records, according to The Athletic. ABA teams such as the San Antonio Spurs, New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, and Indiana Pacers were absorbed by the NBA. Meanwhile, teams like the Colonels folded.

Ultimately, the “merger” in 1976 was more of an expansion. Therefore, Gilmore’s achievements have not been formally recognized.

Overall, Gilmore is the ABA leader in defensive rebounds with 11,514. Meanwhile, LeBron James is 7th in NBA statistics with 10,143.

Additionally, Gilmore ranks third in field goal percentage with a .582. He ranks fourth in blocked shots, 3,148, and sixth in total rebounds, 16,079.

Over his ABA and NBA careers, Gilmore has 24,941 career points, 32nd highest. Patrick Ewing is No. 34, and Charles Barkley is No. 36.

Ultimately, Gilmore says he will find peace after he and other ABA figures join the NBA.

“This has been a work in progress for more than 50 years,” he said. “Until that happens, there’s not going to be much discussion of Artis Gilmore and my accomplishments until they tie it all together.”

Artis Gilmore put Jacksonville University on the map

Before his professional excellence, Gilmore made a significant impact on his alma mater, Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.

In 1970, Gilmore led the Dolphins to an incredible 27–2 record. They made it all the way to the national championship game as the UCLA Bruins were in the midst of a dynasty. The Bruins defeated the Dolphins 80–69 for their fourth consecutive title.

Despite the loss, Gilmore reflects on that period fondly.

“It’s pretty special considering those years and everything that happened at Jacksonville University,” Gilmore said. “Now considering all the other things that were going on in the country, it was an incredible experience.”

Additionally, Gilmore also experienced what it was like to experience it all amid the turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s. He specifically cited playing in Dayton, Ohio, in the first round of the tournament, when race riots occurred at home.

“Just two years before the assassination of Martin Luther King, there were a lot of other negative things going on and we had to be there on the front lines,” Gilmore said. “We could see in Ohio, preparing to play in the first round, there were riots. There was a lot going on, and for us at that particular time in the environment I grew up in, it was extraordinary, extraordinary, and we were happy to be a part of it.”

Jacksonville was one of the first southern college basketball teams to start three black players (Gilmore, Pembrook Burroughs III and Chip Dublin).

The story is told in the documentary Jacksonville who?

The Golden State Warriors have a lot of explaining to do. On Monday, they fell to the Utah Jazz 119–116, prompting head coach Steve Kerr to advocate for a shortened season. Then on Tuesday, the Warriors lost to the Chicago Bulls 130–124 in overtime. A loss some are characterizing as tanking.

The loss to Chicago was especially painful because of one moment. In the final seconds, Draymond Green fouled Jalen Smith, putting the Warriors ahead 118–116. Ultimately, Smith converted both free throws, forcing the game into overtime.

After the game, Kerr took responsibility for Golden State’s inability to finish and Green’s foul trouble.
Kenzo Fukuda of ClutchPoints.

“It was a foul, I saw the replay, he put his hand in the wrong place, and it would have been a tough shot.”

Steve Kerr explains what went wrong with the fourth down QTR and Draymond Green’s last second foul:

“It was a foul, I saw the replay, he put his hand in the wrong place and it would have been a tough shot.”

Blamed Green as he said he was cold as he was sitting in fourth place. pic.twitter.com/VfONZDpsVt

– Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) 11 March 2026

Still, fans aren’t going easy on Kerr or Green.

“Shouldn’t have even entered the game at that time,” @OloapZurc posted on Twitter.

Another user called on Kerr to resign his post and take Green with him.

“I want this guy to be fired next season and take Drummond with him,” @XKingnas posted on social media.

Then, another fan took it a step further, saying that Kerr should step aside.

“Kerr is taking a lot of the blame as to why the Warriors are losing a lot of games… Maybe then he should have the decency to resign. That’s tantamount to admitting he’s no longer a good coach for this Warriors team,” @JRemeria0218 said on Twitter.

As a result, the Warriors are now 32-33 and have lost three consecutive games.

SAN FRANCISCO – Back-to-back losses to two actively trying teams are hard to swallow. But that’s what the Golden State Warriors will have to do after losing 130-124 to the Chicago Bulls in overtime.

The Warriors led by eight with 91 seconds left in regulation, but their performance fizzled out at the end of the game in the final seconds of overtime.

“We couldn’t finish it off,” Kerr said bluntly after the game. “They got two free throws with one second left, and they were able to send it to overtime. And then they were the better team in OT.”

The reason the Bulls got to OT were two mistakes by the Warriors. Two-way rookie LJ Cryer missed a free throw with a chance to give Golden State three points, opening the door for Bulls center Jalen Smith to knock down two free throws to tie the game after Draymond Green fouled him with his hand on his hip as he caught a pass in the corner.

From there, as Kerr said, Chicago attacked the Warriors in overtime. Matas Buzelis finished with a career-high 41 points with a dagger three with 2:20 left in OT, while Josh Giddy topped the scoring with a 21-point, 13-rebound, 17-assist triple-double.

But despite a stellar performance from the Bulls’ young core, the loss was caused by Green’s uncharacteristic mistake at the end of regulation. When Kerr was asked what happened on Green’s mistake, he took responsibility for his mistake.

“It was a foul. I saw the replay, and I’m convinced.” [Green would] Love getting it back. Just his hand fell in the wrong place. And [it] This would have been a tough shot for Smith to hit. And Dre knows he just needs to challenge [Smith]. He was in a difficult situation. He did not play the entire fourth quarter. And then I threw him out there for some defensive possessions, because I know how good he is on that end, but he wasn’t exactly loose and in flow. And I’m sure that didn’t help the case.”

Defensive woes plague Golden State

Still, the Warriors said they haven’t lost a game in a game or two. After the game, Pat Spencer pointed to their defensive issues and how Chicago controlled the flow of the game.

“We were a little soft on the ball,” Spencer said. “Think they’re very smart, and I think if we’re being honest, they didn’t have a group of guys that typically knocked down the three ball at a high rate. They still didn’t shoot that well. It felt like we were a little passive on that side. They’ve got some guys that can create a little bit. It felt like they played at their pace most of the night.”

Golden State lost 64-49 on the boards, holding the Bulls to 20 offensive rebounds. Buzzellis and Giddy got where they wanted, usually breaking down the Warriors’ shell and getting into the paint.

However, it is not that the Warriors did not work hard. While Cryer missed crucial free throws, he finished with 17 points on 3-of-5 from deep. Spencer himself was +18 plus/minus with 17 points and six assists as he led the Dubs’ leads in the third and fourth quarters. They even got a strong game from Kristaps Porzingis, with the big man collecting 17 points and four blocks in his third game with the Warriors. Porzingis got the crowd at Chase Center going when he hit a big three on the wing to cap a 12-0 run late in the third.

But ultimately, the Dubs lost, and that loss on their tab erases any good they did. This is the defeat of a team in the middle of a tank, which had previously lost to a team Fined By the league for tanking.

It doesn’t help that the Warriors are injured, no Steph Curry, no Jimmy Butler, and Moses Moody and De’Anthony Melton are out. But this kind of defeat is devastating for a team trying to survive.

how warriors move forward

With Golden State falling to 32-33 on the season, he hasn’t had time to nurse his wounds. They are in danger of falling far behind the Clippers, who passed them for the eighth seed this week. The Warriors are currently in ninth place, where they need to win two consecutive games to make it to the playoffs. They’ll get an update on Curry’s knee on Wednesday, but in all likelihood they’ll have to do without him when they get him up.

Gary Payton II said, “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We know if we play the right way we can be ahead in any game.” “Bus [got to] Finish the season strong. Like I said, late, late in the second half, you know, clear up some mental things. “And I think we’ll put ourselves in a great position to close out the game.”

The Warriors’ optimism still remains. The high end of what this team can be, like the upset over the Houston Rockets, gives them confidence. But consecutive losses to tanking teams shows where the Warriors are at this season. Barely stepping into the water with a faint hope that their star might return in time to save them.

The Golden State Warriors host the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday, and Kristaps Porzingis is not on the team’s injury report, while Draymond Green is listed as questionable. Porzingis is dealing with illness-related issues while Green is listed as undergoing management of a lower back injury. Everything we know about the injury status of Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green heading into the Warriors’ game against the Bulls.

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Kristaps Porzingis, Draymond Green injury status vs. Bulls

It’s good news for Warriors fans that Porzingis is not on the team’s injury report. Since being acquired by the Warriors at the trade deadline, Porzingis has only played in two games as he deals with health uncertainty. Given that Green is questionable, he likely won’t get a concrete update until game time.

In the two games in which Porzingis has had success, he is averaging 10.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steals, while shooting 42.1 percent from the field, 25 percent from the 3-point line and 50 percent from the free-throw line.

Green has played a little over 27 minutes per game in 53 games. He averaged 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.3 assists with splits of 41.3 percent shooting from the field, 32.1 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 69.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

When the question arises whether or not Draymond Green will play in the Warriors’ game against the Bulls tonight, the answer is not yet clear.

warriors injury report

-Jimmy Butler III out (right ACL surgery)
-Seth Curry out (left sciatic nerve injury management)
-Stephen Curry out (right patellofemoral pain syndrome)
-Draymond Green questionable (management of left lower back injury)
-D’Anthony Melton questionable (left adductor soreness).
-Moses Moody out (right wrist sprain)
-Gary Payton II probable (left ankle injury)
-Quinton Post questionable (bilateral leg pain)

oxen injury report

-Matas Bouzelis probable (right ankle sprain)
-Jack Collins out (surgery on right toe)
-Noah Asengue out (left shoulder surgery)
-Josh Giddy probable (right ankle sprain)
-Jaden Ivy out (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)
-Mac McClung out (G League two-way)
-Lachlan Olbrich out (G League two-way)
-Colin Sexton doubtful (contusion of left fibular head)
-Anfernee Simmons out (left ulnar styloid fracture)
-Jalen Smith probable (left calf strain)
-Patrick Williams questionable (left ankle sprain)

Hours after the Phoenix Suns’ embarrassing loss to the Chicago Bulls, injured player Dillon Brooks was arrested for DUI on Friday, March 6, 2026.

TMZ Sports reported that Brooks was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona around 2:00 p.m. After a while, around 3:20 pm, he was released.

According to a TMZ Sports report, Brooks was “respectful and cooperative” before his release. They also shared his mugshot after his arrest.

Dillon Brooks’ DUI arrest comes after Suns’ blowout loss to Bulls

Brooks’ arrest came after the Suns’ dramatic latest loss to the Bulls. It was a back-and-forth affair, but the Suns ultimately lost the game.

With the loss, the Suns dropped to 35–27. Meanwhile, the Bulls are still below .500 with a record of 26-37, making the loss even worse for Phoenix.

Unfortunately, Brooks had no impact in the game. He sat out due to his long-term injury. His left hand is broken, due to which he will have to remain out of the field for several weeks.

Before his injury, he was averaging 20.9 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He has played 50 matches so far in the season.

Brooks is a former second round pick in the 2017 NBA draft from Oregon. He was selected by the Houston Rockets but was immediately traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

He spent the first seven years of his NBA career with the Grizzlies before joining the Houston Rockets in 2023. After two seasons with the Rockets, he was traded to the Suns as part of the Kevin Durant trade.

The Suns’ leading scorer in their latest loss was Devin Booker, who scored 27 points. He also had six rebounds and two assists. Grayson Allen scored 21 points off the bench.

PHOENIX- There have been a few instances this season where the Phoenix Suns have been outplayed. Another example came Thursday against the Chicago Bulls.

Although 105–103 indicated a close game, don’t let the score fool you. Even for a guy like Devin Booker, he knew his team didn’t bring the right energy.

Typically, they dive for 50/50 balls, pick up full court, and establish the pace of the game. Thursday’s game was a deviation from his norm, yet Booker sees a silver lining with the struggles in the energy department.

Booker said in the locker room postgame, “That’s been our MO all year. We look at what happens when we do that, and tonight is an example of what happens when we don’t do that. Hopefully, it’s a lesson learned from here.”

Devin Booker on the Suns’ lack of energy tonight.

“That’s been our MO all year. We see what happens when we do that, and tonight was an example of what happens when we don’t do that. Hopefully it’ll be a lesson learned from here.” pic.twitter.com/oBmstJqQl0

– Hayden Cilley (@HaydenCilley) 6 March 2026

The shorthanded Bulls did not get any wins in February, but they picked up some impressive wins in early March. They proceeded with the same momentum till Thursday and took full advantage.

His play speed and paint presence were difference makers. Guys like Collin Sexton and Guerschon Yabusele put tremendous pressure on the basket and worked hard for second chances.

Who else agreed with Devin Booker’s assessment of the Sun’s energy?

Head coach Jordan Ott has been someone who has never been afraid to hold his team accountable. After all, Ott had a challenge of accountability for the Suns before last Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Did he do the same after the loss to the Bulls? Not necessarily, but he mentioned a game strategy he used to stir up some energy. He mentions that he attacked because he needed energy, and it’s something he shouldn’t have asked for.

Somehow, Ott knows that the root of all these conversations about lack of effort is the same.

“We do it honestly,” Ott explained. “We took the first out, again, we had zero (forced) turnovers. The reason I know we had zero (forced) turnovers is because I said it to the group. Then at halftime we just talked about wasting possessions.

“We can’t waste possessions, we’re not that type of team, and we have to somehow increase our activity and energy. So we’re looking. We’re looking for different lineups, different guys.”

Luckily for the Suns, their next game will be on Friday as the second leg of a back-to-back. That will give them minimal time to reflect on Thursday’s surprising loss and hopefully use it as a learning lesson, as Booker said.

The Chicago Bulls will visit the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night. Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis are listed as questionable on the NBA injury report. Both are recovering from ankle sprains suffered Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Giddy came out briefly but then returned to finish with a double-double of 14 points and 10 assists. Meanwhile, Buzzellis came out, but did not return. Here’s everything we know about Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis’ injuries and their game status vs. the Suns.

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Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis’ injury status vs. Suns

Given that Giddy and Bouzelis are listed as questionable, the assumption is that both will be out against the Suns. Giddy, in particular, has been a fixture on the injury report recently. He most recently missed eleven games from late December to January with a left hamstring strain. Subsequently, head coach Billy Donovan placed Giddy on a minutes restriction as he worked his way back into the lineup.

Their first game was on January 22 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Giddy scored 21 points, including 18 in the first half, six rebounds and five assists in the 120–115 victory.

Giddy is averaging 17.7 points, 8.4 assists and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Meanwhile, Bouzelis has remained largely safe from injury. Additionally, he is coming off of playing in the NBA Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend. He has remained focused on winning above anything else, even though the Bulls were winless in February.

Bouzelis is averaging 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

So when the question comes up about whether Josh Giddy and Matas Buzelis are playing against the Suns tonight, the answer is probably yes.

oxen injury report

Matus Buzzellis (right ankle sprain) – doubtful

Josh Giddy (right ankle sprain) – doubtful

Jadney Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome)-out

Effernie Simmons (left ulnar styloid; fracture) – Outside

Jalen Smith (right calf strain) – Questionable.

Patrick Williams (right quadricep strain) – Questionable

sans injury report

Dillon Brooks (fractured left hand)-Out

Jordan Goodwin (left calf strain)-out

Mark Williams (left foot pain)-out

Oklahoma City Thunder All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been ruled out of Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Bulls after giving positive feedback to reporters following his first two games back from an abdominal injury. Gilgeous-Alexander will miss the first leg of the Thunder’s back-to-back, which ends on Wednesday against the New York Knicks. He’ll likely be back to take on the Knicks.

Starting center Isaiah Hartenstein was added to Gilgeous-Alexander on the Thunder’s injury report as players ruled out of Tuesday’s game. Hartenstein returned from a calf injury on Friday. Both Thunder players missed overtime in Friday’s 127-121 win against the Denver Nuggets and will also miss Tuesday’s game against the Bulls due to their respective injuries.

Jalen Williams (right hamstring), Ajay Mitchell (abdominal strain, left ankle), and Brandon Carlson (lower back strain) are out, while Nikola Topic is on assignment with the Thunder’s G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue.

Gilgeous-Alexander finished with 30 points on 12-of-20 shooting, five assists, four rebounds and four steals in Sunday’s 100-87 win against the Dallas Mavericks.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander injury update after Thunder win

It was difficult for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to watch the Thunder compete against the Nuggets in overtime on Friday, even if the defending champions won. Fortunately for Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder defeated the Mavericks in regulation, earning a 13-point win on the road.

After the win, a reporter asked Gilgeous-Alexander how his body was feeling after playing his first two games since returning from an abdominal injury.

“Okay,” Gilgeous-Alexander replied. “I ramped up the workouts before the games, I knew I was coming back. The guys who helped me with the workouts did a great job building them into game legs. So, I feel great. Cardio-wise, I don’t feel like I missed a beat.”

The Thunder improved to 47–15.

The Milwaukee Bucks are in no position to make fun of other teams, considering the franchise is on life support amid the many trade rumors swirling around Giannis Antetokounmpo.

And they’re certainly in no position to mock the Chicago Bulls’ deal before the trade deadline, as they lost to Chicago by 23 points on Sunday night when the Bulls outscored them 33-8 in the fourth quarter, including a 27-0 lead.

However, the basketball gods remember everything, and they certainly didn’t forget what Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said before their contest on Sunday. Before their game against the Bulls, Rivers mocked Chicago’s trade deadline moves.

According to The Big’s Drew Stevens, in response to a question about how much the Bulls have changed, Rivers said, “Yeah, they added 17 more guards.”

It’s a bit of a trend to make fun of the Bulls, but the Bucks had to back up their head coach and they didn’t. Chicago may have added 17 or maybe even 67 guards, but in the end, a win is a win. And on Sunday night, Milwaukee was on the verge of defeat.

The boxes are stuck in limbo

The Bucks have few draft assets and Antetokounmpo should move with a trade demand and not much in the way of solid young prospects to make the team. Kevin Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins are two of the best young players on the team, and their long-term position home appears to be the same (point guard).

The Bucks will have no choice but to try to remain semi-competitive for at least the next few years, as they don’t control their future first-round picks until 2031. Until then, they will have to avoid the defeat they suffered against the Bulls on Sunday at all costs if they want to.

Doc Rivers didn’t stop the Milwaukee Bucks from making mistakes during Sunday night’s 120-97 loss to the Chicago Bulls.

Rivers has been a head coach in the NBA since 1999 and has represented five teams throughout his coaching career. He currently represents the Bucks, going through his third season with the franchise.

Milwaukee has played poorly throughout his tenure, with consecutive first-round exits and the future of the franchise is in question as Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially tests free agency in 2027. The team’s loss to Chicago didn’t help matters, losing 27–0 in complete games.

According to reporter Eric Nehm, Rivers reflected on the crushing defeat after the game. He highlighted inconsistent stretches that prevented Milwaukee from taking control, resulting in Chicago’s surge in the contest’s biggest moments.

“The good looks came after bad basketball in the first 11 minutes of the third quarter. In the second group, they gave us a 15-point lead. The first group came in before halftime, lost it and then got it and then lost it again. They lost two 15-point leads… I don’t know if there is such a thing as a basketball god, but if there is, he was alive tonight,” Rivers said.

“When you get that close to the game and play like that, you don’t deserve to win. If we had won the game, I would have been upset. I would have won because we needed it, but that’s not how you play basketball. I don’t know how many jump shots we made in-between in the third. I can’t wait to see it. It felt like every second shot was a dribble, 16 dribbles, a jump shot in between and a contested shot in between.” That’s the worst shot of the game, unless it’s the last five seconds on the clock, so it was a disappointing loss and I hope we all feel that.”

Doc Rivers, how the Bucks performed against the Bulls

Doc Rivers and the Bucks have some soul-searching to do. They may still be without Giannis Antetokounmpo due to injury, but they can’t afford the loss against the Bulls.

Six players scored in double figures for Milwaukee in the loss. Bobby Portis led the team with a stat line of 18 points, five rebounds and one block. He made 7 of 14 shots from the field, including 3 of 8 from beyond the arc. Cam Thomas finished second with 15 points and three assists, AJ Green had 13 points and two assists, while Ryan Rollins had 11 points and seven assists. Meanwhile, Kyle Kuzma and Kevin Porter Jr. provided 10 points each.

Milwaukee fell to a 26–33 record on the season, finishing 11th in the Eastern Conference standings. They are above the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, while trailing the Charlotte Hornets and Atlanta Hawks.

The Bucks will look to bounce back in their next game at home. They will host the Boston Celtics as tip-off begins on March 2 at 7:30 PM ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls will play on Thursday night. Deni Avdija is struggling with an injury, so will he play tonight?

Avdija, 25, made his first All-Star team this season. He has played well, but injuries have been a concern at times for the Blazers guard. Overall, Avdija appeared in 48 of the Blazers’ 59 contests prior to Thursday’s matchup.

Everything we know about Deni Avdija’s injury status for tonight’s game vs. the Bulls.

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Devi Avdija’s injury status vs. Bulls

According to the NBA injury report, Avdija has been ruled out of Thursday’s game due to management of a lower back injury.

Portland’s overall record is 28–31. The Blazers are competing for a play-in spot, as they are currently ninth in the Western Conference standings. As far as the Bulls are concerned, Chicago is 24-35 and 12th in the Eastern Conference.

As far as the question of whether Deni Avdija is playing against the Bulls tonight, the answer is no.

blazers injury report

The Trail Blazers have six players listed on Thursday’s injury report.

• Robert Williams III (right foot soreness): Questionable
• Hansen Yang (middle back pain): Questionable
• Deni Avdija (lower back injury management): Out
• Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon injury management): Out
• Shaddon Sharp (left calf fibula stress reaction): out
• Caleb Love (G League Two-Way): Out

oxen injury report

The Bulls have six players listed on the injury report.

• Patrick Williams (right quadricep strain): Questionable
• Jalen Smith (right calf strain): Questionable
• Zach Collins (right toe surgery): out
• Noah Esengue (left shoulder surgery): out
• Jaden Ivey (left patellofemoral pain syndrome): out
• Effernie Simmons (left ulnar styloid fracture): out

It’s fair to say that Derrick Rose became the biggest name in Chicago Bulls history since the days of Michael Jordan. Until an ACL injury and subsequent injuries derailed his career, Rose was viewed and played as a true generational star, becoming the first player since MJ to win the MVP award as a Bulls player.

However, that doesn’t come close to clarifying exactly what D-Rose means to Chicago, which the Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crowe-Armstrong might have a fair idea about. The 37-year-old recently spoke about his meeting with Rose, claiming the Bulls legend was everything he wanted.

“That was one of the best days of my life”

Pete Crowe-Armstrong talks about the time he met Chicago legend Derrick Rose 🌹🏀 pic.twitter.com/yuTlDj0rSn

– MLB (@MLB) 25 February 2026

“That was one of the best days of my life. Yeah, D-Rose was big in my house growing up. I’m learning what he really means to the city. He gave me a ton of his time one day, and he reminded me that, like, I have to be there. He really took the time to get to know me and listen to my story,” he said, per a post by MLB on X, before explaining that Rose had the answer to everything he was unsure about.

“It almost felt like he had the answer to everything, either I was unsure about it or, but he made it seem like, he was Chicago, and really is Chicago. But that guy is everything and more that I wanted him to be. He was the best thing ever,” Crowe-Armstrong said.

Rose was drafted first overall by the Bulls in 2008, immediately breathing life into a struggling franchise by earning Rookie of the Year honors and leading the team to a 41–41 record. However, his best season came during 2010–11.

On his way to becoming the youngest MVP in NBA history, Rose led the Bulls to the Eastern Conference Finals, establishing Chicago as a legitimate championship threat for the first time since the Michael Jordan era. Of course, the fairytale was derailed when he suffered an ACL injury during the opening game of the 2012 playoffs, the first of several injuries that ultimately limited his potential.

Yet, as the Cubs star claimed, Rose is and was a Chicagoan, and remains a major source of inspiration for young stars throughout the game.

The Charlotte Hornets will face the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday in Chicago. Coby White will make his official return to the United Center after being traded to Charlotte.

According to Will Gottlieb of the CHGO Bulls, during warmups, White took time to reflect on the moment he thought his career in Chicago was over. His last game with the Bulls was on February 3 against the Milwaukee Bucks. In that game, White scored 21 points and played 30 minutes.

After all, White already knew this would happen.

“I feel like … you can read between the lines. It’s not hard in this league and this business to see what’s going on.”

“I feel like … you can read between the lines. It’s not hard in this league and this business to see what’s going on.”

🗣️ Kobe White on playing his last game with the Bulls

(🎥: @Will_Gottlieb ) pic.twitter.com/fFTcUV26XL

– CHGO Bulls (@CHGO_Bulls) 24 February 2026

Meanwhile, according to Fox 32’s Tina Nguyen, White’s former Bulls teammate Trey Jones is waiting for this opportunity. During practice, Jones said he fully expected White to do whatever he had to do while recovering from a calf injury.

“We felt like he’ll definitely make a push to get back in this game,” Jones said. “Playing with his former team is a quick transition. We know what he brings to the table. He can space really well and score at a high level.”

#Bull Trey Jones on Coby White: “We felt like he’ll definitely make a push to get back in this game. It’s a quick turnaround to play with your former team.”

Jones also said, “We know what he brings to the table. He can space really well and score at a high level.” #nba pic.twitter.com/b9LhSLGHXG

– Tina Nguyen (@ttinanguyen) 24 February 2026

White still has not played a game for the Hornets. Meanwhile, he averaged 18.6 points and 4.7 assists in 29 games with the Bulls.

Plus, the Hornets are knocking on the door to the play-in game with a 27-31 record. Charlotte has won seven of its last ten games. Meanwhile, the Bulls are facing defeat in nine matches for the first time in seven years.

The Charlotte Hornets are set to make the debut of guard Coby White, who is battling a left calf strain. White will be ready for Charlotte when the team takes on the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday. He is listed as probable on the team’s injury report.

White used to play for the Bulls, so this will be somewhat of a revenge game for the experienced guard. This season, White is averaging 18.6 points per game. After spending several years in Chicago, he was traded to the Hornets in early February.

Charlotte has a record of 27–31 on the season. The club has lost two of its last three matches.

Kobe set to debut for White Hornets

White played his college basketball at North Carolina, so he’ll be playing in front of a lot of fans in Charlotte. The talented guard has averaged double figures in scoring in almost every NBA season he has played.

White says he was not at all surprised to be traded.

“Every time in my career I was like, I don’t think [it] Was [going to] That’s really what happens,” White said, according to the Associated Press. “But with the circumstances now, you know, a lot of us are coming into free agency this summer. And the team had to go in a certain direction, in a way. So, I wasn’t really surprised or anything like that.

This season with the Bulls, White started 26 games while appearing in 29 contests. He last played on February 3 in a match between the Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. He scored 21 points in that game.

White is shooting nearly 44 percent from the field this season. His shooting statistics are down from last season, when he averaged over 20 points per game.

Charlotte and Chicago play Tuesday at 8:00 ET. Chicago’s record this season is 24–34.

The Detroit Pistons’ winning streak reached five games after defeating the Chicago Bulls 126-110. However, the exchange of emotions after the game took away much of the headlines from Saturday’s game.

Saturday night’s matchup marked the first time the Pistons shared the court with former teammate Jaden Ivy since the former first-round pick was traded to Chicago at the NBA trade deadline. The entire Detroit team went to talk to Ivy and give her a very emotional hug.

After the game, Detroit center Jalen Duren was asked about his bond with Ivey.

“He’s my brother, man. I came into the league with him since day one. He’s been family forever, brother. He’s my favorite player, I love that guy,” Duren said, fighting back tears.

Detroit found itself in a difficult situation regarding Ivey’s future. He suffered a devastating foot injury against the Orlando Magic when guard Cole Anthony dived into his foot. He was taken off the floor on a stretcher and missed the rest of his third season.

After completing his rehab, Ivy suffered another injury setback during the preseason. He required another surgery to repair his knee problem in the 2025–26 season. Due to injuries, his game was greatly affected and his numbers dropped significantly. His once unstoppable speed had diminished and his high-profile athleticism didn’t look the same.

Rather than wait for a recovery, the Pistons opted to deal Ivey to the Bulls for forward Kevin Huerter. Ivy was playing in a contract year as a restricted free agent. Detroit decided to give Ivy a fresh start elsewhere rather than wait for his recovery to agree to a contract extension.

Before that injury Ivey was putting up career-high scoring numbers. The Pistons were seeing a significant scoring surge with 17.6 points per game on 46% shooting from the field and 40.9% shooting from 3-point range.

Ivey was drafted by the Pistons along with Duren in the first round during the 2022 NBA Draft. The former Purdue guard was selected No. 5 overall before Detroit took Duren at No. 13 overall.

Jalen Duren dominates in return to the lineup

The Pistons received another boost to their roster after Duran returned from suspension. After missing the last two games against the Charlotte Hornets due to a concussion, the Pistons’ All-Star center looked like he didn’t miss a step against the Bulls.

Duren was a major focal point of Detroit’s dominance in their road win. He scored 26 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, his 25th double-double of the season. Duran’s offensive rebounding continued at a high level, with six more against Chicago.

The Pistons are still without backup center Isaiah Stewart for the next four games because of the fight. Veteran big man Paul Reed again performed well in Stewart’s absence, scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds.

All-Star point guard Cade Cunningham nearly finished the night with a triple-double. Cunningham scored 18 points, dished out 13 assists and grabbed nine rebounds. Forward Tobias Harris also added 18 points in 30 minutes. Guard Duncan Robinson had a hot shooting night with 17 points and five 3-pointers.

It’s very difficult to convey the Chicago Bulls’ NBA trade deadline deal in so few words. But the way the Bulls maneuvered before the deadline left more fans scratching their heads than any other team in the league. It certainly seemed like Chicago was ready for a fire sale, considering some of their established players were in the final year of their contracts. But some of the deals he has accepted are so complicated that it is difficult to believe them.

Over the past few seasons, the Bulls have been part of an honorary four-team, play-in tournament club that includes the Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, and Orlando Magic. They don’t have the young prospects that can lead the team to their next competitive run, and their veteran players aren’t good enough to lead a deep playoff run.

However, as is the case with the Bulls, they couldn’t pull the trigger when they needed to and as a result, their roster is now a mix of players who don’t look like they have any long-term future in the Windy City.

Finally, here is a review of how the Bulls performed before the trade deadline and what grade they deserve for their maneuvers.

Bulls trade their guards to bring in more guards, Hydra style

The oxen were at a crossroads; They had a lot of players on expiring deals that they could get some value from instead of letting them leave in free agency for nothing. And it’s not like those players won’t make any kind of impact on winning teams. But again, the problem was that the Bulls have waited too long and been content to remain as an average team for too long, limiting their returns on the trade market.

Chicago made such moves before the trade deadline that it wasn’t exactly clear what the ultimate goal was for their front office. For starters, they brought a lot of guards. And this is not being exaggerated to any extent. They actually traded for so many combo guards that it’s hard to imagine most of them remaining on the roster for next season.

To start, the Bulls finally traded Nikola Vucevic in a deal that was honestly a long time coming. It was always going to hurt that the Bulls gave up Wendell Carter Jr., another starting-caliber big man in the NBA, and Franz Wagner to take Vucevic in the first round, but there was no reason for Chicago to hold on to Vucevic for too long.

For Vucevic, the Bulls received Anfernee Simmons and a 2026 second-round pick from the Boston Celtics. As it was, it would have been a great comeback. But Chicago made it even worse for themselves by attaching a 2027 second-round pick to Vucevic.

Chicago also kept Coby White for a very long time. All the Bulls could do was trade for White for a package from the Charlotte Hornets headlined by Collin Sexton, another guard, Ousmane Dieng and three second-round picks. Due to White’s failed medical, which showed some severity of the calf injury he is currently experiencing, the Bulls had to settle for a lower selection in the second round.

Rather than trade White during the offseason if his value was high, the Bulls had to settle for that return for one of their best players.

And then Chicago made it even worse for itself; Due to their critical big man situation, they had to flip 22-year-old big man Dieng to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Nick Richards, who could show promise. Dieng has shined so far in his brief time with the Bucks, while Richards is a hot commodity – he’s a backup big man who can only be used as a starter in an emergency situation.

The Bulls’ guard wheeling and dealing didn’t stop there. They shipped Kevin Huerter, who was on an expiring contract, to the Detroit Pistons for the return of Jaden Ivy. While it’s hard to attack the Bulls for betting on another former lottery pick, especially considering that Ivy has shown promise in the past, he is yet another guard who adds to the team’s logjam at positions where he should play.

Ivey also continues the Bulls’ trend of gambling on former lottery players who have lost their luster; Chicago has brought in Ivey, Isaac Okoro and Jalen Smith in recent years, and yet their original teams passed on them for reasons that were all too obvious.

Speaking of gambling on former lottery picks, Rob Dillingham was somehow the primary piece the Bulls got in exchange for Ayo Dosunmu, whose speed, shooting and ballhandling would be such a boon to a contending team.

Sure, Chicago traded four picks in the second round for Dosunmu, who himself was drafted in the second round in the past, but Dillingham has further complicated the sticky web that is the Bulls’ backcourt picture.

For those not counting at home, the Bulls now have the following players who need minutes at the guard position: Josh Giddy, Simmons, Sexton, Ivey, Dillingham, and Tre Jones. Things are fine at the moment as Giddy and Jones are improving, but when those players return, head coach Billy Donovan will have his work cut out for them.

The swap for Guershon Yabusele for Delon Terry at least appears to be working out in the Bulls’ favor, with Yabusele hell-bent on reviving his career in the Windy City.

Chicago got a total of eight picks in the second round, which is nothing to scoff at. This should at least help them grease the wheels for future trading.

But the fact that they failed to get at least a first-round pick for players like Vucevic, White and Dosunmu is a complete failure. Chicago will have to pay Ivey big money for his next contract. Simmons and Sexton’s contracts are expiring. Patrick Williams’ deal is still on their books.

The Bulls front office may have been cooking before the trade deadline, but sadly, the dish they came up with is going straight into the trash can.

Bulls Trade Deadline Grade: D