One of these days, we’ll finally get through a week without losing games or players to injuries. Today is not one of those weeks for the Chicago Bulls. After another disappointing result against the Charlotte Hornets, Chicago is back under .500, and with the roster getting thinner by the day, they’re probably going to stay there for a while.
Let’s talk Bulls basketball.
Again!? ? #nba #bulls #lameloball #hornets #basketball
♬ original sound – House of Highlights This is considered a sign of disrespect in the NBA, and Bulls center Nikola Vučević took exception to it. He first confronted Ball by faking a pump of the ball at him, then followed up with a conversation after the game. It’s the second time in a week this has happened to Chicago. The last one involved Giannis Antetokounmpo, and it sparked a full-on debate online. @houseofhighlightsLamelo funny for this. ?✌️@Chris #nba #bulls #lameloball #hornets #basketball
♬ original sound – House of Highlights Given everything that unfolded last week, I honestly think it was in the Bulls’ best interest to swallow the loss and move on. The online NBA world, and even former and current players, largely defended Giannis, and unfortunately for Chicago, there wasn’t going to be much sympathy for what happened last night either.Draymond Green hates "unwritten rules" in basketball, "Miss me with that" ? ? ? ? pic.twitter.com/2lPYFoaDVs
— The Draymond Green Show (@DraymondShow) January 3, 2026 On the topic of LaMelo Ball, he was also involved in the one key injury the Bulls picked up last night. Trying to exploit a mismatch, Tre Jones lobbed the ball high to Jalen Smith, who was being defended by the much shorter Kon Knueppel. The pass was a little overcooked, forcing Smith to scramble to save it from going out of bounds. Ball read the play and went after it as well, and the two collided, bumping heads hard near the baseline.LaMelo Ball & Jalen Smith had a scary head-to-head collision. ? pic.twitter.com/dYjCpW7dP4
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 4, 2026 Smith, who stayed on the floor for several minutes after the collision, was eventually taken to the locker room. He didn’t return and is now in concussion protocol. Jalen had been a breath of fresh air for Chicago since moving into the starting lineup. He and Vučević formed a double-big look that actually worked for the Bulls. Smith had been stacking double-doubles and looked on track for another one tonight. With him out, the Bulls are now stretched thin in both the frontcourt and the backcourt. Get well soon, Jalen, another tough blow for Chicago.Jalen Smith is now in concussion protocol, per Donovan
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 4, 2026 The injuries, especially those to Smith and Collins, have had a significant impact on Chicago’s play. Last night, the Hornets didn’t play a single player taller than 6’8″, yet they still beat the Bulls on the offensive glass 13–6 and outscored them 16–2 in second-chance points. That was the biggest difference in the loss, and it was frustrating, because the effort just wasn’t there. Even with a height advantage (even after Smith exited), Chicago still allowed Charlotte to dominate the boards. It’s a reminder of why the absences of Collins and Jalen, and even Giddey, who’s a strong rebounder, are going to hurt the Bulls’ chances of climbing back over .500.Wow. Bulls just allowed Knueppel to rebound his OWN MISSED FT and score.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) January 4, 2026 The Bulls still sit ninth in the East, even after losing three of their last five. That’s the reality of life in NBA purgatory. The funny thing is they’re only 2.5 games back from a legitimate playoff spot, but with all the inconsistencies and injuries, it’s impossible to predict what this team will do next. They literally just beat the Magic, who have a better record, and then lost to the Hornets, who have a worse one, on back-to-back nights. Some favorable news for the Bulls heading into next week is that there might be at least one big win on the horizon. The upcoming games are all against teams better than Chicago, but on Wednesday, when they face Detroit, the Pistons will also be severely shorthanded. The biggest loss for them is 22-year-old starting center Jalen Duren, who’s a force on the glass and in the paint. With him out for at least a week, and Collins potentially returning before then, the Bulls could scrape together the effort they need for a win. Quick side note: Isaiah Stewart will likely replace Duren in the starting lineup, and he just won Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month for December. So, you know, nothing is guaranteed.The @DetroitPistons today announced the following injury updates: pic.twitter.com/vrvzdlg8vL
— Pistons PR (@Pistons_PR) January 3, 2026MORE BULLS FROM BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
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— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) January 3, 2026Hence then, the article about unwritten rules violation injuries continue to pile up back under 500 and other bulls bullets 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.
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