Chicago Bulls shooting guard Coby White might be available sooner than expected.
K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network report on Monday that White was able to take part in the Bulls’ pregame shootaround — an encouraging sign. The league’s latest injury report indicates White has been elevated to “probable” for Monday’s game in Boston against the surging Celtics.
White and point guard Josh Giddey both went down mid-game last Monday at home against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. White reaggravated his tight right calf that had held him out for all of training camp and the first 11 days of the regular season; Giddey strained his left hamstring.
Without White or Giddey, Chicago closed out the end of its homestand with an encouraging 2-1 finish last week. The Bulls have also been without reserve center Zach Collins, due to a big toe sprain, since before the Timberwolves loss.
Jalen Smith, Giddey, and Collins remain out, among the Bulls’ other ailing rotation pieces.
Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesLife Without Coby White
White was initially expected to be reassessed in a week. Usually when that phrasing is employed, that means a player will get a new, more definitive return timeline at that point. Instead, it appears he’s responded well enough that he could be back on the hardwood — and not a moment too soon, given the quality of Monday’s competition.
White’s inconsistent availability this year may have affected his shooting rhythm from outside. He’s connecting on just 32.4 percent of his long range takes this year, far below his career 36.8 percent conversion rate on 6.3 triple tries.
Although he has yet to recover his shooting stroke beyond the 3-point line, the 25-year-old swingman has still been scoring well elsewhere, and passing at a high level. He’s averaging 19.2 points on .445/.324/.796 shooting splits, 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 0.7 steals a night in his 16 healthy games this season.
In the absence of the Bulls’ starting backcourt, Tre Jones and Matas Buzelis stepped up with big games. Smith absorbed more minutes without Collins available. The begoggled one looked great, notching consecutive double-doubles as a starter before a head-to-head collision with LaMelo Ball put him in league concussion protocols midway through Saturday’s 112-99 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
White’s future in Chicago is a bit murky this year, so the sooner he can return to the court and prove his mettle, the better — not just for the 17-18 Bulls’ win percentage, but also for his own value (to the Bulls and…. trade suitors). He’s on an expiring $12.9 million contract, and is looking to earn a massive pay bump when he hits unrestricted free agency this summer.
The Celtics Await
Hopefully armed with White, the Bulls will get a bit more creation and versatile backcourt scoring in their battle against the mighty Celtics, who suddenly look like a legitimate sleeper threat in the Eastern Conference — even without six-time All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, who’s still recovering from his torn Achilles.
Finals MVP forward Jaylen Brown, no slouch himself, has elevated his game without his longtime running mate. The Cal alum is averaging a career-high 30.1 points on .510/.370/.779 shooting splits, plus 6.3 rebounds and 5.0 assists, while leading the Celtics’ attack. The 6-foot-6 swingman has greatly improved his handle, long the biggest weakness in his game.
David Butler II-Imagn ImagesHence then, the article about coby white nearing surprise early injury return report was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Coby White Nearing Surprise Early Injury Return! (REPORT) )
Also on site :