The Chicago Bulls faced off against the Miami Heat on Thursday in a rescheduled matchup, but it didn’t take long for the night to take an unfortunate turn. Forward Jalen Smith, who’s been one of the more consistent contributors for Chicago lately, exited the game in the second quarter due to calf tightness. It’s the same issue that had him listed as “probable” before tip-off, and while the team hasn’t offered an official update on his status, the timing couldn’t be worse with a tough stretch of games ahead.
Before leaving the floor, Smith managed to make his presence felt. In just 15 minutes, he dropped 11 points and pulled down five rebounds-marking his 10th straight game scoring in double figures. That kind of production in limited minutes speaks to how well Smith has settled into his role, whether he’s starting or coming off the bench.
With Smith sidelined, Patrick Williams stepped in to fill the void. Williams has had his own ups and downs this season, but his versatility makes him a logical next man up, especially when it comes to defending multiple positions and stretching the floor.
Smith’s recent play has been a bright spot for a Bulls team still trying to find consistent footing. Just the night before, in a narrow 113-110 road loss to the Indiana Pacers, Smith logged a double-double-13 points and 11 rebounds in 28 minutes. That performance was emblematic of his recent surge: efficient, physical, and quietly impactful.
On the season, Smith is averaging 9.9 points and 7.0 rebounds in just over 20 minutes per game. He’s appeared in 40 games so far, and his ability to contribute in a variety of ways has made him a key piece of the Bulls’ rotation. Whether it’s crashing the glass, running the floor, or knocking down mid-range jumpers, Smith has carved out a role that Chicago relies on.
The Bulls’ schedule doesn’t get any easier from here. After Thursday’s game, they head south to face the Heat again in a weekend back-to-back.
Then it’s a road swing through Milwaukee and Toronto before returning home to host the Denver Nuggets. That’s a brutal five-game stretch against playoff-caliber opponents, and Chicago will need all hands on deck-especially Smith, if he’s healthy enough to go.
Now in his seventh NBA season, Smith has taken the long road to becoming a reliable contributor. Drafted in 2020 by the Phoenix Suns out of Maryland, he spent two seasons with the Indiana Pacers before signing with the Bulls in 2024 on a three-year, $27 million deal. It’s looking like a solid investment for Chicago, especially given the way he’s elevated his game this year.
For now, all eyes are on Smith’s recovery. If he can return quickly, the Bulls will be in much better shape to weather this upcoming stretch. But if he’s forced to miss time, it’ll be up to the rest of the rotation-Williams included-to step up in a big way.