Bulls' Derrick Jones Jr. Out 6-8 Weeks; Finger Injury Diagnosed as Fracture
Jan 26, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 1: Derrick Jones Jr. #5 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on January 1, 2022 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls announced that forward Derrick Jones Jr. suffered a fractured right index finger while working out at the team's facility on Tuesday. He is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks.
Jones Jr. had already been out since Jan. 12 with a bone bruise in his right knee suffered during a 138-112 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. Per Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, he was expected to miss four-to-six weeks with the injury at the time.
Jones, a six-year NBA veteran in his first season with Chicago, has averaged 6.3 points on 58.2 percent shooting and 3.4 rebounds in 17.2 minutes over 31 games (eight starts).
He landed with the Bulls after Chicago landed him in a three-team trade that also involved the Portland Trail Blazers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jones has played a key role in the Bulls' resurgence this year, with Chicago sitting 29-17 and second in the Eastern Conference after finishing 11th last season.
Unfortunately, the Bulls have been hit hard with injuries of late.
Chicago announced last Thursday that point guard Lonzo Ball would be out six-to-eight weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee.
One day later, guard Alex Caruso suffered a fractured right wrist after Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen committed a Flagrant 2 foul against him in 94-90 loss. He will be out six-to-eight weeks.
Now Jones is out for an extended period of time.
The shorthanded Bulls will forge ahead as they look to lead the Eastern Conference. They'll host the Toronto Raptors next on Wednesday.
Bucks' Grayson Allen Suspended After Injuring Bulls' Alex Caruso on Flagrant Foul
Jan 23, 2022
Milwaukee Bucks' Grayson Allen fouls Chicago Bulls' Alex Caruso during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 94-90. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The NBA suspended Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen for one game after his flagrant-2 foul on Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso on Friday, Jan. 21.
"We disagree with the suspension," the Bucks said in a statement. "We support Grayson and look forward to him rejoining our team for Friday’s game vs. New York.”
The foul in question occurred midway through the third quarter of the Bucks' 94-90 home win over the Bulls.
As Caruso was going up for a layup, Allen leaped to defend the shot and collided with the guard midair. He also hit Caruso's head with his left hand as the Bull was falling to the ground.
Allen got ejected. Caruso was shaken up but eventually finished the game. However, the Bulls announced the next day that he would be out six-to-eight weeks with a fractured right wrist.
Allen has a history of dirty play, notably tripping players on three occasions during the 2016-17 season while he was at Duke. The Blue Devils suspended him for one game.
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan alluded to Allen's past when commenting to reporters following the Bucks game:
Here is Billy Donovan’s full answer when asked about Grayson Allen’s flagrant-2 foul on Alex Caruso and ejection.
It should be noted this is very uncharacteristic of Donovan to single out a player like this. pic.twitter.com/70UZFSMi85
The following day, Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports reported that the NBA was reviewing the play. K.C. Johnson of Yahoo Sports provided more information:
To be clear, the league is still reviewing the incident. The early indications that Allen’s ejection would be his only discipline were before news of Caruso’s injury. And league does take into account any injury suffered by the offended player. Stay tuned. https://t.co/DYguqR2cP2
In the end, the NBA decided that further punishment was necessary for the four-year NBA veteran, who has averaged 11.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this year.
Allen sat out the Bucks' 133-127 win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday with a left hip injury. The Bucks' next game is Wednesday at the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Report: Grayson Allen's Flagrant Foul on Alex Caruso Being Reviewed by NBA
Jan 23, 2022
Milwaukee Bucks' Grayson Allen fouls Chicago Bulls' Alex Caruso during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Milwaukee. The Bucks won 94-90. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
The NBA is reviewing Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen's Flagrant 2 foul on Chicago Bulls guard Alex Caruso, who is out six-to-eight weeks with a fractured right wrist as a result of the play.
Per Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports, no decision has been made yet. K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago also provided more information:
To be clear, the league is still reviewing the incident. The early indications that Allen’s ejection would be his only discipline were before news of Caruso’s injury. And league does take into account any injury suffered by the offended player. Stay tuned. https://t.co/DYguqR2cP2
Caruso was driving for a layup in the third quarter of his team's 94-90 road loss the Bucks on Friday. Allen ran back to play defense but collided with Caruso midair before hitting him in the head on the way down to the court.
Caruso finished the game and told reporters afterward that his wrist was sore. Unfortunately, the official diagnosis could keep him out for two months.
It's a big blow to a Bulls team that will already be without point guard Lonzo Ball for six-to-eight weeks with a meniscus tear in his left knee.
Allen's foul also drew the ire of Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, who said the Bucks guard's actions could have ended Caruso's career:
Here is Billy Donovan’s full answer when asked about Grayson Allen’s flagrant-2 foul on Alex Caruso and ejection.
It should be noted this is very uncharacteristic of Donovan to single out a player like this. pic.twitter.com/70UZFSMi85
Caruso is in his first year with the Bulls after four seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. He's averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.
Bulls' Billy Donovan Calls out Grayson Allen for 'Dangerous' Foul on Alex Caruso
Jan 22, 2022
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Milwaukee Bucks Friday, Jan. 21, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan did not hold back when discussing Milwaukee Bucks guard Grayson Allen's flagrant-2 foul on Bulls guard Alex Caruso Friday.
K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago provided Donovan's thoughts on the play as well as Allen, who was ejected in the third quarter of the Bucks' 94-90 home win:
Here is Billy Donovan’s full answer when asked about Grayson Allen’s flagrant-2 foul on Alex Caruso and ejection.
It should be noted this is very uncharacteristic of Donovan to single out a player like this. pic.twitter.com/70UZFSMi85
Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer also provided his take:
#Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer said Grayson Allen went to block Alex Caruso's shot and it wasn't malicious. "I think it's a close call and they went with Flagrant 2 and I'm not going to disagree. It's right on the border and that's the direction they went" https://t.co/Psl93qTwzu
Caruso was initially shaken up after the hard fall, but he was able to finish the game. He told reporters afterward that he was a little banged up and had a sore wrist. X-rays turned out to be negative.
The guard didn't have any comments in response to Donovan's remarks, most notably about his coach saying that Allen "has a history of this." A reporter asked if Allen came to check on Caruso, to which the Bulls guard said he did not.
Allen, a former Duke star, was suspended from the basketball team in Dec. 2016 after he was caught tripping a player for the third time during the 2016-17 season.
Referees ejected Allen from a summer league game for back-to-back flagrant fouls while he was with the Grizzlies.
Ricky O'Donnell of SB Nation provided a full breakdown of Allen's past history in a July 2019 piece with accompanying videos.
Allen's NBA image has been cleaner than the one at Duke, but his former reputation might be resurfacing after his midair collision with Caruso.
Giannis Drops 30 to Lead Bucks Past DeMar DeRozan, Shorthanded Bulls
Jan 22, 2022
MILWAUKEE, WI - JANUARY 21: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots a free throw during the game against the Chicago Bulls on January 21, 2022 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images).
The Milwaukee Bucks earned a 94-90 home win over the Chicago Bulls at Fiserv Forum on Friday.
Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo led his team with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Bulls wing DeMar DeRozan's 35 points led all scorers.
Neither team shot the ball well, with the Bucks (38.2 percent from the field) and Bulls (36.5 percent) combining to make just 13-of-69 three-pointers.
This game was ultimately a defensive fight to the finish.
The Bulls had the ball in the final minute with a chance to tie or take the lead down 92-90, but a DeRozan three-point attempt with 23.3 seconds left was off the mark.
Bucks wing Khris Middleton grabbed the rebound and knocked down two free throws for a four-point lead after a Coby White foul.
Chicago missed three shots on its final possession to end the game.
The 28-16 Bulls were missing two key stars in Lonzo Ball (left meniscus tear) and Zach LaVine (left knee injury). They have now lost five of six.
The 29-19 Bucks have won two straight.
Notable Performances
Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo: 30 points, 12 rebounds
Bucks F Khris Middleton: 16 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists
Bucks C Bobby Portis: 12 points, 13 rebounds
Bulls F DeMar DeRozan: 35 points, 6 rebounds
Bulls C Nikola Vucevic: 19 points, 11 rebounds
Giannis Guides Bucks Through Ugly Win
Despite playing a shorthanded Bulls team at home, the Bucks were down four points early in the fourth quarter after a Matt Thomas three-pointer.
Points were hard to come by for anyone not named Giannis Antetokounmpo—a fact made clearer when shooting guard Grayson Allen was ejected in the third quarter after committing a Flagrant-2 foul on Alex Caruso.
Simply put, the Bucks needed their two-time MVP (and reigning Finals MVP) to bail them out of a rock fight, and he did just that in the fourth quarter.
Antetokounmpo scored 10 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, including what ended up being the game-winning bucket as he executed a reverse layup behind the basket that conjured up images of Julius Erving in the 1980 NBA Finals:
Other big buckets included a dunk to immediately answer the Thomas three-pointer. He also later hit a floater for a 76-74 lead and knocked down a pullup jumper for a 79-76 edge.
He also came up clutch on defense, swatting a Caruso bucket in transition for one of his two blocks:
This wasn't a pretty victory for the defending champions, but a win is a win, and the Bucks will take any of them that they can get as they find themselves in the middle of a packed race for first in the East.
DeRozan Nearly Wills Bulls to Victory
Chicago faced a near-impossible task Friday.
First, they were without Ball and LaVine, who have combined for 37.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game this year.
Those two are a big reason why the Bulls, who went 31-41 and failed to even qualify for the play-in tournament last year, are right there in the race for the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.
Second, they were facing the defending NBA champions, who had the services of their big three of Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday.
Credit to the Bulls for even making this a game, with the result in doubt until the final half-minute. They played excellent defense that puzzled the Bucks all night, and the Bulls would have won this one with some better shooting down the stretch.
This game ultimately came down to DeRozan, the Bulls' remaining perimeter star sans LaVine and Ball. He nearly led Chicago to the win as he knocked down mid-range jumpers and routinely got to the free-throw line all evening.
DeRozan finished the night hitting 9-of-18 field goals and 17-of-18 free throws. This effort to close the third quarter gave him 27 points on the night:
He also got a little unlucky down the stretch, as he had his toe on the three-point line while knocking down a long-range jumper late in the fourth to cut the Bucks' lead to 87-83:
But he kept grinding away at the Bucks, hitting a pair of free throws twice and finding Nikola Vucevic for a three-pointer in the middle of those shots.
On a night where DeRozan and Vucevic were the only Bulls to score more than 11 points, the Bulls were one made three-pointer away from being up one with 23 seconds left.
Alas, DeRozan's shot was off the mark, leading to a moral victory for the Bulls instead of a real one in the standings. Still, their valiant effort shows that they can perhaps weather the storm until LaVine and Ball make their returns.
What's Next?
Milwaukee will host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. The Bulls will visit the Orlando Magic on Sunday at 6 p.m. in Amway Center.
Are the Chicago Bulls Built to Survive Lonzo Ball's Injury?
Jan 21, 2022
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 12: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 12, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
First, the good news: Chicago will get Lonzo Ball back before the end of the season. The six-to-eight-week timeline the Bulls put on their starting point guard's left knee surgery on Thursday will have him back on the court in mid-March, with about a month to ramp up for the playoffs.
News of Ball's surgery comes on the heels of a slew of other injuries to key players and a recent four-game losing skid they snapped against the upstart Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. With losses to Brooklyn, Golden State, Boston and Memphis in that stretch, the tide had already started to shift from the novelty of the historic Chicago Bulls—Michael Jordan's Bulls—being a relevant franchise again to questions about whether they're really as good as their best-in-the-East record would currently have you believe.
The resurgent Bulls have been one of the most fun stories of the first half of the 2021-22 season. Their most optimistic backers saw possible home-court advantage in the playoffs as a potential ceiling; nobody saw them being in the running for the No. 1 seed in an Eastern Conference that includes the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks (who the Bulls face on Friday) as well as the star-studded Nets and Heat. Nobody saw "DeMar DeRozan has a career year at age 32" or "second-round pick Ayo Dosunmu warrants serious All-Rookie consideration" coming, either.
Until the past month of injuries, COVID-19 absences and subsequent losses, the Bulls were hitting every best-case scenario for an unexpected juggernaut. Nearly a decade of mismanagement and bizarre coaching (pour one out for Jim Boylen's time clock) has been erased in less than two calendar years with the hiring of executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas, general manager Marc Eversley and head coach Billy Donovan, and in their second full season in charge they've completely made it over.
Last deadline's out-of-nowhere trade for center Nikola Vucevic to pair with Zach LaVine was the first signal to the rest of the league that the Bulls were no longer an unserious organization; spending big last summer on DeRozan, Ball and Alex Caruso was the next. They came into training camp with only three players—LaVine, third-year guard Coby White and second-year forward Patrick Williams—who were on the roster at the beginning of the 2020-21 season. It was going to take time for everything to come together, except it happened right away.
At the halfway mark of the season, the Bulls were well ahead of schedule considering where the franchise has been since trading Jimmy Butler in 2017. But with NBA contention windows famously narrower than they appear, is ahead of schedule good enough?
That's what Karnisovas and Eversley will have to decide between now and the Feb. 10 trade deadline, and the loss of Ball for the next six-to-eight weeks makes that needle tougher to thread. Trading White, who has rebounded from a rough start to the season and played the best basketball of his career in January, is probably off the table now given Ball's absence and the number of backcourt minutes Donovan needs to fill.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 19: Coby White #0 of the Chicago Bulls goes up to dunk in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at United Center on January 19, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Their other serious trade candidate is Williams, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with a wrist injury. He has plenty of upside as a versatile wing defender who Karnisovas and Eversley thought highly enough of to take No. 4 overall in the 2020 draft.
A true all-in move like the one the Denver Nuggets pulled off for Aaron Gordon at last year's deadline would have to start with Williams. But is going for it with an instant difference-maker like, say, Jerami Grant or Harrison Barnes worth giving up on the future? What if DeRozan isn't this good next year? What if Vucevic never regains his All-Star form from Orlando? Should they push all of their chips in now to capitalize on this unexpected start or play the long game, be happy to be good again and concentrate on a multiyear plan?
The only thing we know about the new Bulls regime is that they don't telegraph what they're going to do. At last deadline, the first with Karnisovas and Eversley at the helm, there weren't even any rumors of their interest in Vucevic floating in the ether when they pulled off the deal with Orlando. The DeRozan signing, too, came as a total surprise given the maneuvering they had to pull off with their salary cap to make it happen.
In the short term, they're going to miss Ball. Along with Caruso, he's greatly improved their defense, which was in the top 10 in the league prior to that four-game losing streak. He's also become a legitimately good three-point shooter over the past three years and was shooting a career-high 42.3 percent from beyond the arc this season before the injury.
Caruso just returned on Wednesday after missing 13 games between a foot injury and COVID protocols. That will help with the recent defensive slippage. The offense will get a boost when LaVine returns in the coming days from a knee injury suffered last week, and Dosunmu and White have proved more than capable of playing major minutes in recent weeks. But the unique transition threat Ball provides to the offense isn't something they'll be able to replace any more easily than what he brings on the defensive end. Parts of his individual replacements' games may come close to patching the holes together, but there's no easy fix.
All this is happening for the Bulls just as the rest of the East contenders appear to be getting their bearings. Bam Adebayo is back for Miami, and Joel Embiid is playing at an MVP level in Philadelphia. Brooklyn will be without Kevin Durant for at least the next month, but they'll have him back before the playoffs, by which time the situation with Kyrie Irving's availability for home games may have changed.
Chicago has dealt with a lot when it comes to injuries and COVID outbreaks, but so has just about every team in the league in a season that's been somehow even more chaotic than the last one. They've managed to avoid the kind of drama that's plagued the other teams in their peer group—the whole roster is vaccinated, and they don't have an All-Star holding out to be traded. If Ball and the rest of the team can get healthy by the playoffs, they've shown at their best they can beat anybody. But in the NBA, and especially this season, assuming full health is a dangerous game.
For the Bulls, whatever they look like by the playoffs, it will be a postseason run where they hope to prove that their newfound hype is warranted, that their blowing past preseason expectations is for real.
Sean Highkin covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon and lives in Portland. His work has been honored by the Pro Basketball Writers' Association. Follow him on Twitter, Instagram and in the B/R App.
Bulls' Lonzo Ball to Undergo Surgery on Knee Injury; Out 6-8 Weeks
Jan 20, 2022
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 12: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls walks backcourt during a game against the Brooklyn Nets at United Center on January 12, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls star Lonzo Ball will undergo surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee and will miss six to eight weeks.
Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic first reported the injury Thursday. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Ball "is expected to travel to California" for the surgery "in the coming days."
The guard is thriving in his first season in the Windy City. Through 35 games, he's averaging 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists. He's on pace to set career highs in field-goal percentage (42.3) and three-point percentage (42.3).
The Bulls were one of the more ambitious teams in the offseason, adding Ball, DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. While many expected Chicago to improve on an 11th-place finish in 2020-21, few envisioned the team sitting first in the Eastern Conference at 28-15.
Ball's contributions on both ends of the floor have played a role in the Bulls' overachieving.
Head coach Billy Donovan has had to cope without the 24-year-old for stretches. He entered the NBA's health and safety protocols in December, missing five games, and the lingering soreness in his left knee has taken him out of the lineup since Jan. 14.
While not on par with Ball as a playmaker, Caruso is another two-way guard who can run the offense in Ball's absence. Coby White has performed well in a backup role, too, and his usage figures to increase.
The Chicago Bulls are hard to recognize in the best kind of way. At best, this group figured to hover around the play-in tournament throughout the 2021-22 NBA season, but they have ...
Ja Morant, Grizzlies Roll Past Bulls as Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, More Sit Out for CHI
Jan 17, 2022
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) handles the ball against Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (12) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)
The Memphis Grizzlies just keep on rolling.
After seeing their 11-game winning streak snapped Friday, the Grizz responded by hammering a short-handed Chicago Bulls team Monday, 119-106, behind big nights from Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.
The Grizzlies didn't face Chicago's full complement of talent, however. Zach LaVine missed the game with a knee injury, while Lonzo Ball missed the contest with knee soreness. Alex Caruso was also out after just being cleared from the NBA's health and safety protocols.
Bulls need to get Caruso & Green back ASAP. The body language not good today in Memphis & they didn’t have a chance with only 10 players available & Vucevic going scoreless in the 1st half. 2 more tough games coming up vs. Cavs & Bucks.
The good news for the Bulls was that Saturday's MRI on LaVine's knee showed no structural damage, and he'll be reevaluated next week.
"Well, obviously very optimistic and very grateful that it wasn't something more," Bulls coach Billy Donovan told reporters over the weekend. "That's why they wanted to do the MRI, so he'll continue to get therapy and we'll re-evaluate him after a period of time. I don't think it's something that's long-term, which is a good thing. So the biggest thing is how does he respond to therapy, treatment, those kinds of things."
If Monday's tough loss was any indication, however, life without LaVine—even in the short term—is going to be difficult for the Bulls.
Key Stats
Ja Morant, MEM: 25 points
Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM: 14 points, five rebounds, five blocks
Desmond Bane, MEM: 25 points
DeMar DeRozan, CHI: 24 points, five assists
Nikola Vucevic, CHI: Seven points, 10 rebounds, two blocks
Coby White, CHI: 16 points, five assists
Bane Was Feeling It
Morant is the main topic around Memphis on most days, and for good reason—he's a highlight waiting to happen. And he was hardly chopped liver Monday.
But Bane was excellent, serving as yet another reminder of the promise the young Grizzlies boast.
“Desmond Bane is a leading candidate for Most Improved Player and has been a borderline All-Star.” - Stan Van Gundy pic.twitter.com/3RUPSosQcO
After being a rotational player as a rookie, Bane has emerged as one of Memphis' most important players and has started every game he's played this year. There aren't many teams more fun to watch than the Grizz right now, and Bane is one of the reasons why.
It Wasn't Vucevic's Night
While LaVine is out, the Bulls are going to need DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic to do the heavy lifting. While DeRozan did his part, the Bulls starting center struggled immensely, shooting just 2-of-13 from the field.
Donovan puts in four subs and Ayo (who usually is a sub). Vucevic didn't play in 4th after 2-13 night.
Vucevic, to his credit, worked hard on the glass. His shot just wasn't falling.
The veteran has largely been the third fiddle in Chicago behind LaVine and DeRozan this season. Now, the Bulls need him to step up. He didn't do so Monday.
What's Next?
The Grizzlies travel to Milwaukee to face the defending champion Bucks on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET. The Bulls will host the Cleveland Cavaliers on that same date and time.
Boston Celtics' Malcolm Hill plays against the Boston Celtics during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
The Chicago Bulls are signing Malcolm Hill to a two-way contract, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Hill signed a 10-day contract with the Bulls last Friday. He played 18 minutes in the team's 114-112 road loss to the Boston Celtics, finishing with five points, one rebound and one assist.
The 26-year-old made three appearances with the Atlanta Hawks earlier in the year, scoring 17 points and grabbing six rebounds over 46 minutes. He also averaged 16.8 points and shot 40.2 percent from beyond the arc in 14 games with the Birmingham Squadron in the NBA G League.
Chicago opened up a spot on its roster for Hill by waiving guard Devon Dotson on Monday.
The Bulls head into Monday's road contest against the Memphis Grizzlies significantly short-handed. Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams and Zach LaVine are among the notable names on their injury report.
Caruso and Javonte Green are nearing a return to the lineup but remain unavailable.
We have assigned Alex Caruso & Javonte Green to the @WindyCityBulls.
The 6'6" swingman will provide much-needed depth on the perimeter until Caruso and Green are back. LaVine avoided suffering any structural damage to his left knee, but having Hill will also help since the timetable for the 2020-21 All-Star's recovery remains unclear.
