Coby White
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Coby White of the Chicago Bulls is dealing with a new injury.
The Chicago Bulls have ruled out Coby White for Wednesday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets. White is set to miss his third straight game due to a strained left calf, with the Bulls sharing an update on his recovery.
Speaking to reporters after the Bulls’ loss to the Orlando Magic on Monday, coach Billy Donovan revealed that White is feeling positive about his injury. It’s not the same calf that kept him out of the first 14 games of the season, and the strain doesn’t feel the same as his previous calf issue.
“He’s pretty in tune to his body, and he did tell me that it doesn’t feel like the other one did, but there is some tightness there. At times with some of these guys, they’re competitive, like Coby, and they want to get out there and play. Sometimes you have to protect them from themselves and say, ‘No, you’re not,'” Donovan said, via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Donovan added that White is set to be evaluated in Chicago before the start of their three-game homestand. However, he’s feeling concerned just because of the history and the time it took for White to recover from his previous injury. It’s all about being cautious for the Bulls at this point in the season.
Bulls’ Injury Report Piling Up
Coby White isn’t the only player on the Chicago Bulls’ injury report ahead of their game against the Brooklyn Nets. There are a whopping 11 players listed as injured, though only three are listed as out: White, Noa Essengue and Kevin Huerter.
Isaac Okoro is doubtful, so he’ll likely get downgraded to out before tipoff. Tre Jones, Lachlan Olbrich, Julian Phillips and Patrick Williams are all tagged as probable, which means they are more likely to get upgraded to available once checked during the pregame preparations.
Zach Collins, Jalen Smith and Dalen Terry are all questionable, so there’s a 50:50 chance they could suit up or sit down. The Bulls have lost four in a row entering Wednesday’s contest and have only won three of their last 10 games. They are sitting 10th in the Eastern Conference standings at 9-11.
White Still Part of Chicago’s Plans
The Chicago Bulls and Coby White failed to agree on a new contract this summer. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, but the Bulls still see White as part of its future.
According to ESPN’s Jamal Collier, the Bulls view White, Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue as their future core. Giddey has already signed an extension this past offseason, while Buzelis and Essengue are still on their rookie deals.
The good news for White is the Bulls will have plenty of cap space this summer, which could be around $70 million. That should be enough to bring back the 25-year-old guard to Chicago, with more to spare for more free agents.
In five games this season, White is averaging 24.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 6.2 assists. He’s shooting 44.7% from the field, including 34.1% from 3-point range, and 81.1% from the free-throw line.