One day after leaving practice early with a thigh bruise, Wendell Carter Jr. has been downgraded to doubtful for tomorrow night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.
Bulls health updates, per Billy Donovan:
Patrick Williams (hip) practiced. Wendell Carter Jr. (thigh) did not, and is doubtful for tomorrow, though he’ll travel with team to Charlotte
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) January 21, 2021
However, Donovan did tell reporters on Thursday that Carter Jr. will travel with the team to Charlotte, which could tell us that the team doesn’t expect this to be any kind of lingering issue.
I think it’s worth a note, though, that this particular Carter Jr. absence would come at a rather unfortunate time for the Bulls. Earlier today, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski did report that Charlotte’s Cody Zeller plans to make his return to the court on Friday against Chicago. An aggressive big man, he recorded two double-doubles against the Bulls last season and gave them all kinds of trouble in each of their four matchups. The pressure will now likely be on Daniel Gafford to neutralize the assumingly eager rim-runner (has not played since the Hornets very first game of the season).
Charlotte upgraded center Cody Zeller (fractured hand) to probable vs. the Bulls on Sunday, and source tells ESPN that Zeller plans to make his return then.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 21, 2021
In other news, the Bulls should be at full-health tomorrow on the wing. Patrick Williams practiced after missing Monday’s game and Wednesday’s activities with a hip contusion, and Chandler Hutchison is also on track to be available for his first time since December 29th. The same can be said at the point guard position for Tomas Satoransky, who will surely help take some of the pressure off a slumping Coby White.
Let’s keep getting healthy, boys!