While the team the Chicago Bulls just defeated owns the worst record in the NBA, there might not be a franchise reeling more than the New Orleans Pelicans. Despite assembling a roster that looked reasonably effective on paper, the Pelicans are 2–15 through the first month of the season, have already fired their coach, and are once again dealing with a rash of injuries.
Pelicans facing major injury absences
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New Orleans is, of course, still without starting point guard Dejounte Murray, who ruptured his Achilles after playing only 31 games for them last season. And in their matchup with the Bulls, they’ll be missing four other key contributors as well.
Jordan Hawkins—having missed only one game all season—has been ruled out for personal reasons. Meanwhile, Herbert Jones, who sat out his first game on November 22 with a back issue, is now apparently dealing with a calf strain.
Moreover, Karlo Matković, who’s shooting 70.3 percent from the floor this season, is also out with a calf strain. And lastly, one of the Pelicans’ more notable offseason additions, combo guard Jordan Poole, will miss his 11th straight game with a quad strain.
In the absence of Jones and Poole, the Pelicans have leaned heavily on rookie lottery picks Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears. Both are averaging 12-plus points per game, with Queen logging three straight 20-point efforts and Fears hitting double digits in 12 contests in a row.
Chicago dealing with multiple game-time decisions
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The Bulls’ injury report is sizable, though still modest compared to New Orleans’. Chicago has three players out and three questionable, with Zach Collins still awaiting his season debut and Isaac Okoro and Dalen Terry sidelined for the second game in a row.
Chicago lists Kevin Huerter, Nikola Vucevic, and Patrick Williams as questionable. Huerter and Vucevic played in the Bulls’ one-point win over the Washington Wizards, while Williams sat out—his first absence of the year.
At this point, all three questionable Bulls are legitimate game-time decisions. Should Huerter or Williams be unable to suit up, Julian Phillips and potentially rookie Noa Essengue would see increased run. And if Vucevic sits for the first time this season, [Jalen Smith would shoulder](https://pippenainteasy.com/polarizing-former-lottery-pick-finally-rewarding-bulls-faith) a major load, forcing Billy Donovan to get creative with his frontcourt rotations.
Full injury report for Chicago Bulls vs New Orleans Pelicans
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The complete injury report for tonight's game is as follows:
### Chicago Bulls
Out: Zach Collins (Left Scaphoid Fracture), Isaac Okoro (Left Lumbar Radiculopathy), Dalen Terry (Left Calf Strain).
Questionable: Kevin Huerter (Left Pelvis Soreness), Nikola Vucevic ( Right Knee Soreness), Patrick Williams (Left Wrist Sprain).
### New Orleans Pelicans
Out: Jordan Hawkins (Personal Reasons), Herbert Jones (Right Calf Strain), Karlo Matkovic (Right Calf Strain), Dejounte Murray (Right Achilles Rupture), Jordan Poole (Left Quad Strain).
Questionable: Kevon Looney (Right Heel Contusion).