Injuries have been a recurring theme for the Chicago Bulls this season, and Ayo Dosunmu is the latest name on that frustrating list. The third-year guard is dealing with not one, but two sprained thumbs - a rare and painful double blow for a player who’s been carving out a key role in Chicago’s rotation.
Dosunmu revealed Tuesday that both thumbs are injured, with the left one giving him the most trouble. There’s also a bone bruise on the right thumb, which makes things even trickier.
He’s been taping them up in hopes of returning soon, and he’s eyeing Wednesday’s home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers as a potential comeback. Whether he suits up will likely depend on how those thumbs respond to treatment and pregame warmups.
The timing is tough. Dosunmu has already missed the Bulls’ last two games, including a 114-104 loss to the struggling New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday. Chicago now sits at 10-14 - a record that reflects a team still searching for consistency on both ends of the floor.
When healthy, Dosunmu has been one of the Bulls’ bright spots. He’s appeared in 20 games this season, averaging 15.2 points in just under 28 minutes per contest. That’s a noticeable jump from last season, when he posted 12.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game before a shoulder injury shut him down and required surgery.
Since being drafted by the Bulls in 2021 out of the University of Illinois, Dosunmu has steadily earned his stripes. A Chicago native, he plays with the kind of edge and energy that fans in the Windy City appreciate.
His game fits well within the Bulls’ motion offense - he doesn’t just move without the ball, he attacks. He’s fearless when driving to the rim, welcomes contact, and isn’t shy about earning trips to the line.
Defensively, Dosunmu brings a level of grit that’s hard to teach. He often takes on bigger assignments, using his quickness and toughness to disrupt opposing wings and guards alike. That versatility has made him a valuable piece for head coach Billy Donovan, whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.
And with a backcourt that includes Coby White, Tre Jones, and Josh Giddey, Dosunmu has found his niche. He doesn’t need a spotlight - he just needs a role.
And when the Bulls call on him, he answers. Injuries may have slowed him down for the moment, but if his track record tells us anything, it’s that Dosunmu won’t be sidelined for long.