As the Chicago Bulls gear up for the second half of the season, all eyes are on the anticipated return of their young star, Josh Giddey. The point guard, who’s been sidelined with a left hamstring strain, is expected to make his comeback against the Toronto Raptors.
Giddey, the Bulls' top scorer and playmaker this season, expressed optimism after a full practice session. "Today was more live, I went through everything, feeling good," he shared. He’s been working closely with teammate Tre Jones, engaging in intense 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 drills, signaling he's ready for action.
Before his injury, Giddey was having a breakout season, posting career highs with 18.6 points, 8.8 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game. His shooting percentages were equally impressive, with a 46.2% field goal and 36.6% from three-point range. This level of performance had him in the conversation for his first NBA All-Star selection.
However, the Bulls' roster has seen significant changes since Giddey last took the court. His former teammates, Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Ayo Dosunmu, have moved on to other teams.
In their place, Chicago has added fresh talent like Rob Dillingham, Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, and Collin Sexton. These new faces bring a mix of skills and potential as the Bulls look to find the right chemistry alongside Giddey.
Assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr., stepping in for Billy Donovan, hinted at a cautious approach with Giddey's return, likely implementing a minutes restriction to ease him back into the lineup.
Giddey acknowledged the adjustments ahead: "With so many changes, it's going to take time to adapt. But the new guys are really buying in, and we've got 27 games left to make something of it."
As Giddey prepares to hit the court again, the Bulls aim to harness this new energy and talent, hoping to make a strong push post-All-Star break. The stage is set for an exciting chapter in Chicago basketball, with Giddey at the helm.