As the Chicago Bulls gear up to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, they’ll once again be without one of their key playmakers. Josh Giddey has officially been ruled out due to a lingering left hamstring strain, according to the NBA’s latest injury report.
Giddey’s availability has been hit-or-miss lately - and that inconsistency is starting to show. He’s missed the last three games, all against the Miami Heat, and his absence has left a noticeable void in the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
When healthy, Giddey has been a near triple-double machine, averaging 18.6 points, 8.8 assists, and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 46.2% from the field and a respectable 36.6% from deep. That’s not the kind of production you can just plug-and-play from the bench.
The Bulls, sitting at 24-26 and currently holding the 9th spot in the Eastern Conference, are in the thick of the play-in race. Every game matters - especially against teams below them in the standings like the Bucks, who come into this one at 18-29 and 12th in the East. It’s a matchup Chicago needs to capitalize on, particularly with Milwaukee also dealing with a handful of key injuries.
Chicago’s recent three-game series against the Heat was a rollercoaster. After a tough 116-113 loss at home on Thursday, they bounced back with a 125-118 win on Saturday, only to get blown out 134-91 on Sunday. That kind of up-and-down performance reflects a team still searching for consistency - something Giddey’s presence on the floor often helps stabilize.
Even with Giddey sidelined, the Bulls aren’t without options. Coby White has emerged as a reliable scoring threat, Ayo Dosunmu continues to bring energy and defensive grit, and rookie Matas Buzelis has shown flashes of upside. But replicating Giddey’s all-around impact - his vision, pace, and ability to create for others - is a tall order.
And the Bulls are dealing with more than just Giddey’s absence. In total, eight players are listed on the injury report:
- Zach Collins (right toe sprain) - Out
- Noa Essengue (shoulder surgery) - Out
- Josh Giddey (left hamstring) - Out
- Kevin Huerter (low back spasms) - Questionable
- Tre Jones (left hamstring) - Out
- Julian Phillip (right wrist sprain) - Questionable
- Dario Saric (not with team) - Out
- Jalen Smith (right calf injury) - Questionable
That’s a long list for a team trying to gain ground in the standings.
Milwaukee isn’t exactly at full strength either. The Bucks will be without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who’s nursing a right calf strain, along with Gary Harris, Kevin Porter Jr., and Taurean Prince. Bobby Portis is listed as questionable with a right hip contusion.
So both teams are limping into this one - literally and figuratively. But for the Bulls, this is a chance to take advantage of a depleted Bucks squad and build some momentum, even without their top playmaker on the floor. Whether the supporting cast can rise to the occasion remains to be seen, but with the standings tightening and the All-Star break on the horizon, there’s little room for error.