NEWSLETTER
Do you want the good news or less good news first? Mmmk. Good news it is.
The Chicago Bulls just announced that Tomas Satoransky and Chandler Hutchison both practiced with the team after missing nearly three weeks due to a positive COVID-19 diagnosis.
Billy Donovan says Tomas Satoransky & Chandler Hutchison are on track to be available to play against Charlotte on Friday. pic.twitter.com/jcjh6Zd8if
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 20, 2021
Each is in line to be active for Friday night’s contest against the Charlotte Hornets, which would mark both player’s first game since December 29th (10-game absence). Satoransky spoke to the media after the announcement, informing them that he never suffered symptoms over the course of his recovery. Hutchison, on the other hand, did experience mild symptoms, according to a previous comment by head coach Billy Donovan.
The Bulls have been forced to rely on heavy minutes from Coby White in the absence of Satoransky. Ryan Arcidiacono was able to take over some of that workload upon his return from an extended absence, but it’s expected he will now move back out of the rotation in place of Satoransky. Hutchison’s minute total varied over the first four games as Donovan tried to test out varying lineups. While he might be in line for some significant immediate action if players like Otto Porter and Patrick Williams are not fully healthy, it is unclear how big of a role we will see him play on a consistent basis with Williams, Porter, Young, and Temple all eating minutes at the forward positions.
As for the less good news, Patrick Williams and Wendell Carter Jr. hit a bit of a bump in the road today. Williams – who missed his first game of the season on Monday against the Rockets due to a hip contusion – did not practice with the team today. Meanwhile, Carter Jr. did practice, but he left early with a thigh bruise.
Both can now be considered questionable for Friday’s matchup with the Hornets.
He elaborated that both are on track to play Friday in Charlotte.
Patrick Williams, who missed last game with hip contusion, ran but didn’t practice. And Wendell Carter Jr. left practice early with a thigh bruise. https://t.co/N2nYltKgs3
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 20, 2021
Wendell Carter left practice today with thigh contusion; Patrick Williams did non-contact only because of hip injury; Donovan says both questionable for Friday. #Bulls
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHBulls) January 20, 2021
Fortunately, neither Williams nor Carter Jr.’s injuries appear significant, so let’s hope the extra day of rest tomorrow can get them ready for this weekend’s action. I’d love to finally see this Bulls team fully healthy.
