The wait for Otto Porter’s return to the Chicago Bulls lineup continues, but maybe not forever.
According to a report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Porter is eyeing a return around the All-Star Break (which takes place between February 14-20, 2020), which means he could be just under two months away. That’s … not particularly soon, but at least there’s finally a timetable in mind, right?
Porter has missed the Bulls’ last 23 games after suffering a foot injury in the team’s win over the Atlanta Hawks on November 6. Since then, he’s received three MRIs, and the Bulls have failed to offer anything more than some version of “We don’t really know, but he’ll be re-evaluated again in a few weeks.” Our most recent update regarding Porter came on December 10, when the team announced that Porter met with a specialist who labeled his injury a “small fracture.” The news meant Porter would be reevaluated in at least a month, and if cleared, the injury would keep him out until at least mid-January. So, yeah. It’s been trying.
The Bulls haven’t done anything to make us believe Porter was returning anytime soon, but not being forthcoming with updates obviously isn’t a great look. I recognize that certain injuries can be pesky or hard to diagnose. However, the Bulls have left fans in limbo wondering when one of the team’s most important two-way players could be game-ready with how they have handled this situation.
Anyway, no Porter until the All-Star break would mean 46 games missed for one of the Bulls starters. That’s one heck of a long absence. With the new year holding one of the hardest schedules in the NBA for the Bulls, the sooner Porter could find his way back on the court, the better. The Bulls might be still in the playoff picture right now, but that could all disappear fast with their easiest days behind them.
By the time Porter returns, it might truly be too late.