After initially showing up as questionable on the injury report, both Coby White and Patrick Williams said they plan to play tonight, per NBC Sports Chicago’s Rob Schaefer.
Patrick Williams was at risk of missing his first game of the regular season after tweaking his ankle in Wednesday’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. However, after some prompt rehab, the team’s starting power forward appears ready to go for tonight’s battle with the Orlando Magic.
Coby White also told reporters on Thursday that he will return to the floor following an eight-game absence due to a quad contusion. Previously averaging 21.9 minutes per game, it will be interesting to see how head coach Billy Donovan adds White back into the rotation. Derrick Jones Jr. has played well with an increased workload, but the streaky downtown shooting of White is a skillset we all know this Bulls team needs.
On the other side of the ball, the Orlando Magic will also see two injured players return to the lineup. Former Bull Wendell Carter Jr. missed the team’s last game with a foot injury but plans to take the floor tonight, per the Orlando Sentinel’s Khobi Price. Downtown threat Gary Harris also said he is “ready to go” for this battle with the Bulls, marking his first appearance of the season.
Still, while the Magic will return some important pieces, they’re still missing No. 1-overall pick Paolo Banchero and sparkplug guard Cole Anthony.