The Chicago Bulls got some good news ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with the New Orleans Pelicans.
According to the NBA’s Official Injury Report, Andre Drummond has been upgraded to “questionable.” The backup big man has missed the previous six contests with a shoulder injury that he sustained after a hard fall in the Bulls’ game against the Spurs.
Drummond was off to an incredibly strong start to the year, helping Chicago’s bench look like one of the deadliest second units in the league. He’s so far averaged 9.0 points and 10.2 rebounds in 16.8 minutes of action this season, and the Bulls would undoubtedly love to have that stat line in a game against the Pelicans tomorrow.
Not only is it important to have size and physicality in a matchup against Zion Williamson, but the Pelicans have averaged the most point in the paint to start the season. They have also averaged the 7th-most 2nd-chance point a night and hold the league’s 3rd-best rebounding percentage.
Between Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Nance Jr., and Jaxson Hayes, there is tons of size for the Bulls to worry about, so it’s not crazy to think having Drummond back in the rotation could be the difference between winning and losing.
Ps: The injury report also lists Coby White as out again with a left quad contusion. The bench has so far made do without him in the lineup, but there is no question his 3-point shooting is a tool the Bulls would like to have healthy again soon.