NEWSLETTER
Plenty of positive news came out of the Advocate Center this afternoon.
The Chicago Bulls announced that Alex Caruso practiced fully with the team for the first time since suffering his injury on January 21st. The defensive-stopper told NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson he has no limitations moving forward, but whether or not that means we see him tomorrow against the Cleveland Cavaliers is unclear.
Alex Caruso practiced fully today.
When asked about a target return date:
“We’re close.” pic.twitter.com/c2r6ZPSDQ0
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) March 11, 2022
It’s not hard to believe one practice will not be enough time for Caruso to get comfortably back up to speed, particularly after missing a little over six weeks. However, to be sure, Caruso did label his return as “close,” and the Bulls have not officially shut down the idea that he could return to the floor for Saturday’s game.
We’ll have to keep our eye on how the Bulls designate him on the upcoming injury report, as perhaps the plan is to list him as “questionable” and re-evaluate his status at shootaround.
Bulls guard Alex Caruso was a full participant in practice today.
Neither Caruso or coach Billy Donovan have ruled out the chance he could play as soon as tomorrow against the Cavs, but they want to see how he responds to shootaround
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) March 11, 2022
Alex Caruso isn’t sure if he’ll play Saturday against Cleveland, but it certainly sounds possible.
“We’ve just got to continue to try to check the boxes,” he said, “and make sure it’s functional and if I get hit it’s not going to be bad, if I fall, little things like that.”
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) March 11, 2022
Patrick Williams also got in some more substantial work this afternoon. We learned earlier this week that Williams was cleared to return to practice with minimal contact, and that’s exactly what Donovan said he did today. We even got some footage of Williams on the floor getting shots up and playing some 1v1 action with teammate Coby White.
There is still no clear timetable on when Williams could take the next step, but this is undoubtedly another key step in the right direction, and I think it’s safe to say he is on track to return with a handful of regular-season games left to play.
Coby vs. Patrick one-on-one, NC connection still strong. #Bulls pic.twitter.com/y8RqfULPly
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHSports) March 11, 2022
Little Patrick Williams action too pic.twitter.com/6pBnpNd86D
— Rob Schaefer (@rob_schaef) March 11, 2022
Now, if we’ve learned anything this Bulls season, it’s that every good injury update is tied to a concerning one. Zach LaVine did not practice with the team today due to soreness in his injured knee after the Bulls’ win over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.
We already know LaVine is playing at less than 100 percent, and the team has made clear this will be a situation they continue to monitor throughout the rest of the season. So, yes, it’s possible today’s day off is more precautionary than anything, but Donovan did also say he anticipates LaVine will enter tomorrow as “questionable” on the injury report. My gut says he plays. We’ll see.
Zach LaVine didn’t practice today to rest knee, Donovan thinks he’ll likely be listed as questionable for Cleveland game. #Bulls
— Mike McGraw (@McGrawDHSports) March 11, 2022
