Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
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Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls.
There’s a chance the Chicago Bulls could get a key player back in the mix on Monday, March 23, as the Houston Rockets come to Illinois.
According to the Bulls’ injury report, the star guard Jaden Ivey is listed as questionable for the game. That’s a notable upgrade after the way the last couple of weeks played out.
The Bulls are currently in the midst of losing two games in a row, and have just four wins over their last 10 outings.
Heading into the matchup against the Rockets, the Bulls are 28-42 on the season.
Chicago Bulls Make Promising Injury Announcement vs Rockets
Jaden Ivey dribbles up the floor against the Denver Nuggets.
gettyDENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 28: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Detroit Piston brings the ball down the court against the Denver Nuggets in the first quarter at Ball Arena on December 28, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Jaden Ivey landing on the injury report as questionable is extremely promising.
Lately, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan has been reserved with his comments on Ivey’s timeline. While he didn’t seem to believe Ivey was in danger of missing the remainder of the regular season in 2025-2026, he certainly wasn’t ruling anything out.
Clearly, the Bulls are willing to roll out the veteran guard as long as his knee isn’t at risk of hitting another setback amid a difficult year for the former first-round pick.
“Our medical guys, when I’ve spoken to them, they feel really, really optimistic and positive that he will regain that strength, but strength doesn’t necessarily come back just like that,” Donovan told reporters last week, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
“It’s going to take a period of time. I think I have a pretty good feel for him as a player when he’s healthy. He was really explosive, downhill, two-way player, can defend, really improved his shooting.”
The Bulls Have A Big Jaden Ivey Decision Looming
Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
GettyDETROIT, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 15: Jaden Ivey #23 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Phoenix Suns at Little Caesars Arena on January 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Being in a position to rebuild, the Bulls didn’t exactly acquire players at the 2026 NBA trade deadline to have around long-term.
The idea was to cut ties with players they won’t invest in long-term, in exchange for expiring deals. Picking up a player like Ivey gives the rebuilding Bulls a chance to get a small sample size out of him before deciding whether they want him around for the long haul or not.
Since landing in Chicago, Ivey has just four games under his belt. He sees the court for 28.8 minutes per game. The veteran guard produced 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while shooting 41.7% from the field. He has missed the last 15 games for the Bulls.
The veteran guard landed in the NBA in 2022. He was the fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft out of Purdue. Ivey’s career started with the Detroit Pistons.
Over four seasons with the Pistons, Ivey saw the court for 28.8 minutes per game. He shot 41.7% from the field and 38.1% from three. The veteran posted averages of 11.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game.
Ivey’s four-year, $32.9 million deal expires at the end of the season. The Bulls will get a chance to extend him a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent in July.