The Bulls head to Boston on Friday with Jalen Smith’s status still up in the air. Smith is listed as questionable on the NBA injury report because of a left finger sprain, leaving his availability against the Celtics uncertain.
Chicago is trying to steady itself after a rough start. The Bulls dropped Monday’s meeting with Boston 134-99, then fell to the New York Knicks 133-127, leaving them at 1-4. Smith has been part of the frontcourt mix while covering at center for Nic Claxton, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Even with the injury tag, Smith has given Chicago useful production early in the season. He’s averaging 13.4 points and 8.2 rebounds, and he has reached double figures in four of the first five games. He opened with 15 points in the season opener against the Toronto Raptors, a 135-92 loss, then followed with a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds in a 132-125 win over the Milwaukee Bucks.
In Chicago’s home opener, Smith posted 14 points in a 124-120 loss to the Washington Wizards. Against Boston on Monday, he was held to 7 points and 6 rebounds before bouncing back with 17 points and 11 rebounds against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Smith has provided the Bulls with extra frontcourt depth and a steady scoring and rebounding presence, even if he’s not a natural starter. He is in his junior year with Chicago.
The injury report also lists Tobe Awaka as questionable with a left ankle sprain, Patrick Williams as questionable with a right adductor sprain, and Claxton as out with a left hamstring strain.
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