Bulls Finally Catch a Break as NBA Cup Pause Helps Heal Wounds - But Cavs Still Banged Up
After grinding through a brutal stretch of six games in eight nights, the Chicago Bulls finally got the breather they desperately needed. The NBA Cup may have drawn mixed reactions league-wide, but for the Bulls, the timing couldn’t have been better. With just two games played over the last nine days, Chicago used the downtime to recharge - and more importantly, to get healthy.
Bulls Starting to Look Whole Again
For the first time in what feels like weeks, the Bulls are heading into a matchup with something close to a full deck. Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, and Jalen Smith have all returned to action and - perhaps more significantly - have been cleared off the injury report entirely. That’s a major shift for a team that’s been patching together rotations on the fly.
Now, only two names remain on Chicago’s injury list: Noa Essengue and Ayo Dosunmu.
Essengue, who underwent left shoulder surgery, is out for the season and will continue to be listed indefinitely. But the more pressing question is Dosunmu.
The 25-year-old guard is battling through a painful combination of sprained ligaments in both thumbs and a bone bruise in his right thumb. He’s missed the Bulls’ last two games, but there’s optimism he could return soon - depending on how much discomfort he can tolerate.
If he does suit up, expect both hands to be heavily taped and protected.
Dosunmu’s potential return would be a welcome boost to a Bulls backcourt that’s relied heavily on depth pieces in recent weeks. His energy, defense, and ability to push the pace are key ingredients to Chicago’s identity, especially when the team is trying to build momentum heading into the heart of the season.
Cavaliers Still Dealing With Key Absences
While the Bulls are trending in the right direction, the Cleveland Cavaliers are still stuck in the injury mud. Despite having just two games over the last 10 days - a similar breather to what Chicago got - the Cavs continue to be without several important contributors.
Sam Merrill, who’s quietly having a breakout year with a career-best 13.9 points per game, remains sidelined with a right hand sprain. He’s now missed 12 straight games, and while head coach Kenny Atkinson noted that Merrill is making progress, he still hasn’t been cleared for contact drills - so a return doesn’t appear imminent.
The bigger blow, though, is Evan Mobley. The reigning Defensive Player of the Year strained his left calf during a December 12 game against the Wizards and is expected to miss a few more weeks.
That’s a major loss for Cleveland’s interior defense and overall rim protection. Mobley’s absence puts more pressure on the Cavs’ frontcourt depth, which is already thin with Larry Nance Jr. also out due to a right calf strain.
And the hits don’t stop there. Max Strus, another key part of Cleveland’s rotation, is recovering from left foot surgery to repair a Jones fracture. He’s out indefinitely, leaving the Cavs short on perimeter shooting and wing defense.
Injury Report Breakdown
Chicago Bulls
- Out: Noa Essengue (Left Shoulder Surgery)
- Questionable: Ayo Dosunmu (Right Thumb Sprain, bone bruise)
Cleveland Cavaliers
- Out: Sam Merrill (Right Hand Sprain), Evan Mobley (Left Calf Strain), Larry Nance Jr. (Right Calf Strain), Max Strus (Left Foot Surgery - Jones Fracture)
The Bulls are finally catching their breath - and just in time. With a healthier roster and a bit of momentum, they’re in a position to capitalize on a Cavaliers team still missing major pieces. It’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in an NBA season: one week you’re scrambling to fill a rotation, the next you’re the team with the upper hand.