The Chicago Bulls head into Wednesday night’s meeting with the San Antonio Spurs already carrying a heavy load, and the biggest question hanging over the matchup is Caleb Wilson’s status.
Wilson is on the NBA injury report with right hip soreness and is listed as questionable, which leaves his availability up in the air. For a Bulls team that has stumbled to a 1-8 start, that uncertainty matters even more because Wilson has been one of the bright spots in the early going.
He has started every game, averaging 19.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per contest. In just a handful of appearances, he has already forced his way into some eye-catching company.
Wilson tied Michael Jordan as the fastest Chicago rookie to reach 100 points, then moved past Derrick Rose as the fastest rookie to 150 points in franchise history. He also joined Allen Iverson as the only NBA rookies to post 150 points, 15 3-pointers and 10 steals in their first seven games.
That production has come with a steady, mature presence that has quickly made him look like part of the franchise’s future.
If Wilson can’t go, it would be a significant blow for Chicago against a Spurs team that made the NBA Finals. The Bulls will need to wait until closer to tipoff to know whether he’s available.
Chicago’s injury report also includes Norman Powell as questionable with low back spasms and Zach Collins as questionable with a respiratory illness. Tobe Awaka is out with low back tightness, while Jaylin Sellers is out because of a G League two-way assignment.
San Antonio has its own list of concerns. Devin Vassell is questionable with left adducator tightness, while Jayden Quaintance is out after right knee surgery. Tobias Harris is out with a left calf strain, and Maliq Brown and Ja’Kobi Gillespie are both out on G League two-way assignments.
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Head coach Tiago Splitter said Powell is currently at 70% health, which leaves the Bulls in a wait-and-see spot as they move toward the next game. Powell has appeared in eight games this season, averaging 19.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, and Chicago will be watching closely to see how quickly he can get back to full speed. [Read more 🡒]
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Bulls Suddenly Face A Caleb Wilson Concern They Couldnt Afford
A night that already carried some concern for Caleb Wilson took an even shakier turn against the Spurs, when Chicagos top scorer was forced out in the third quarter after appearing to have a hand issue. Wilson was seen holding his hand before heading to the trainers room, and the Bulls later announced he would not return, a frustrating development for a team that can ill afford to lose its most productive option.
Wilson had already been on the injury report before tipoff because of right hip soreness, so the hand problem only added to the uncertainty around his status. For Chicago, the bigger worry now is not just how long he might be sidelined, but how quickly the Bulls can absorb another hit if one of their most important offensive pieces is compromised. [Read more 🡒]