Bulls-Celtics Rematch Comes with a Whole New Look - and Plenty of Injury Questions
It’s hard to believe it’s been less than three weeks since the Chicago Bulls stunned the Boston Celtics on a night that was already emotionally charged with Derrick Rose’s jersey retirement. That game ended in dramatic fashion - a last-second three from Kevin Huerter sealed a 23-22 record for the Bulls, marking their first time above .500 since late November. Coby White dropped 22 points, Nikola Vučević chipped in a well-rounded 16-7-6 line, and Chicago looked like a team on the rise.
Fast forward to now, and that version of the Bulls feels like a distant memory.
A Roster Flipped on Its Head
Since that January 24 showdown, the Bulls have gone just 1-8. And the roster?
It’s barely recognizable. Huerter is now in Detroit.
White is suiting up for Charlotte. Vučević?
He’s joined the very team he helped beat - the Boston Celtics.
Chicago, now sitting at 24-30, is limping into this rematch both figuratively and literally. A slew of injuries and trade-deadline moves have left the Bulls scrambling to find continuity and bodies.
Josh Giddey and Jalen Smith are both listed as doubtful. Tre Jones, who was already out during the previous Boston matchup, remains sidelined with a hamstring strain. Giddey is dealing with a similar issue, and while both guards have reportedly made progress, the expectation is that they’ll remain out through the All-Star break.
Smith’s status has been a bit of a roller coaster - bouncing between out, doubtful, and questionable over the past few games. He’s missed the last two, and signs are pointing toward a third straight absence.
To make matters worse, Isaac Okoro has now appeared on the injury report with left knee soreness. Okoro’s been a steady presence in the starting lineup all season, logging 46 starts and seeing an uptick in minutes since the roster shake-up.
If he can’t go, Chicago loses its most reliable perimeter defender - and their best shot at slowing down Jaylen Brown. That’s not a small loss.
Boston Getting Healthy at the Right Time
On the other side, the Celtics are trending in the opposite direction - toward full health. Their injury report is nearly clean, with only Jayson Tatum still listed.
Tatum, of course, has been working his way back from a torn Achilles suffered in the 2025 postseason. While he hasn’t returned to game action yet, the signs are encouraging.
He’s been back on the practice court, participating in full 5-on-5 scrimmages and even getting reps with the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G League affiliate. Whether or not he plays this season is still up in the air, but his progress is a major positive for the Celtics’ long-term outlook.
In the short term, Boston has Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser upgraded to available, giving them extra depth as they continue to push for top seeding in the East.
Injury Report Rundown
Chicago Bulls
- Out: Zach Collins (Right 1st Toe Sprain), Noa Essengue (Left Shoulder Surgery)
- Doubtful: Josh Giddey (Left Hamstring Strain), Tre Jones (Left Hamstring Strain), Jalen Smith (Right Calf Strain)
- Questionable: Isaac Okoro (Left Knee Soreness)
Boston Celtics
- Injury Report: Jayson Tatum (Achilles rehab - out), Neemias Queta and Sam Hauser (available)
What to Watch
This rematch won’t look anything like the last one - not in terms of personnel, and likely not in terms of competitiveness either. The Celtics are healthier, deeper, and more cohesive.
The Bulls? They’re in flux, trying to piece together a rotation while navigating injuries and the aftermath of a flurry of trades.
Still, this is the NBA, and anything can happen. But if Chicago’s missing Okoro on top of their other absences, containing Boston’s wings becomes a tall task. Keep an eye on how the Bulls manage their defensive matchups, and whether any of the questionable or doubtful players suit up in a surprise return.
The Bulls may have pulled off the upset last time - but this time around, they’ll need a whole lot more than a buzzer-beater to hang with Boston.