The Chicago Bulls are set to face off against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, but they’ll be doing so without two key contributors: Tre Jones and Zach Collins. Both players have officially been ruled out-Jones with a hamstring issue, Collins nursing a toe injury.
For a Bulls team sitting at 23-23 after a tough 129-118 loss to the Lakers on Monday, depth is going to be tested once again. This isn’t unfamiliar territory-Chicago’s had to navigate a season peppered with injuries, and Wednesday will be no different.
Jones has been sidelined since January 22, when he logged 27 minutes in a win over the Timberwolves. He was sharp that night, putting up 12 points and seven assists, showing the kind of floor leadership that’s made him a valuable piece in his first full season with the Bulls.
The 24-year-old guard, who signed a three-year, $24 million deal last summer after being acquired from San Antonio, has been averaging 12.4 points and 5.8 assists per game this season. That production-especially his ability to control pace and get teammates involved-has been a stabilizing force in the backcourt.
Then there’s Collins, who hasn’t suited up since December 27 against Milwaukee. He managed a double-double in that outing-10 points and 10 boards-despite the Bulls falling short.
On the season, Collins is averaging 9.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, offering a steady interior presence when healthy. Like Jones, he also came over from San Antonio, part of the deal that sent Zach LaVine out last February.
In his 28 games with the Bulls last season, he posted 8.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest, showing flashes of the two-way impact he can bring when fully fit.
Injuries have been a recurring theme for this Bulls squad, and the absence of Jones and Collins just adds to the list of lineup shuffles coach Billy Donovan has had to manage. With both players out, expect extended minutes for some of Chicago’s younger rotation guys, and perhaps a heavier scoring load on DeMar DeRozan and Coby White as the Bulls try to stay afloat in the tightly packed Eastern Conference standings.
As for Indiana, they’ll be without Obi Toppin, who’s dealing with a right foot stress fracture, while rookie Jarace Walker is listed as questionable with a bruised right foot. The Pacers come into the matchup at 11-36, a record that doesn’t reflect the flashes of potential they’ve shown in stretches this season.
With both teams dealing with injuries, this game could come down to which bench steps up and which team finds a way to execute despite the missing pieces. For the Bulls, it’s another chance to prove they can weather adversity-and if they want to stay in the playoff mix, they’ll need to keep doing just that.