The Chicago Bulls continue to look more and more like a playoff team.
Chicago defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 125-96 as seven Bulls scored in double-figures while Nikola Vucevic and Andre Drummond each posted double-doubles.
Seven Bulls in double figures in the blowout against Memphis 🔥
Ayo Dosunmu: 20 points
DeMar DeRozan: 18 points
Coby White: 17 points
Andre Drummond: 15 points
Patrick Williams: 15 points
Jevon Carter: 12 points
Nikola Vucevic: 11 points pic.twitter.com/xdYnlYDD8c— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 21, 2024
With the win, the Bulls improved to 16-10 over their last 26 contests and 11-7 without Zach LaVine.
Saturday night win against the Grizzlies at the UC.@Plus500 | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/szjFK5TDIa
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 21, 2024
“Played with a lot of joy tonight,” DeMar DeRozan said in his walk-off postgame interview. “We didn’t care who did what, so tonight was fun. We love seeing each other thrive and just being successful.”
Chicago sits in ninth place in Eastern Conference at 21-23 as they embark on a three-game Western road trip. Chicago has struggle on the road this season, posting a 7-13 record with a -6.3 scoring margin. The Bulls are at Phoenix on Monday, Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday and Portland on Sunday.
Patrick Williams’ Ankle Injury May Linger
Patrick Williams sat out two games this past week due to soreness in his right ankle. Since his return, Williams has scored in double-figures in both appearances, including tallying 15 points in last night’s win over Memphis.
Still, there is no indication that Williams’ ankle, which has forced him to sit out three games, will get any better.
Williams talked to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times about his condition after playing nearly 27 minutes in tonight’s win over Memphis.
‘‘To be honest, I haven’t had many good days.’ It’s just more of, ‘Can I play through it? Is this a feeling that I can play through or not? Can I cut? Can I jump?’
‘‘That’s pretty much the feel I’m trying to get, whether it’s pregame, practice or whatever the case may be. ‘Can I cut? Can I move?’ Hopefully the answer is always yes, but there’s times where [it’s], ‘Ah, I can’t really move and cut and jump the way I’m used to.’ ’’
Williams had a fantastic December, averaging 14.1 and 4.4 rebounds as he saw 33 minutes a game. However, before the last two games, the 22-year-old forward had struggled in January.
According to Crowley, Williams is getting used to managing an injury again, even though he played all 82 games a season. Cowley said that Williams sometimes doesn’t have his usual explosiveness, which is the result of limitations from the ankle. Cowley added that the ankle pain could be something Williams will have to deal with as long as the Bulls’ season lasts.
Zach LaVine Update
LaVine is on the shelf again after sustaining a right ankle sprain in Chicago’s win over Toronto on Thursday. LaVine is expected to be out for at least a week. However, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago said in his article last night that LaVine will accompany the team on their upcoming road trip despite imaging on his ankle revealing swelling.
With LaVine out, Williams moved back into the starting lineup. While Williams will undoubtedly remain in the starting five, Dalen Terry is expected to see increased minutes. However, Crowley also believes that coach Billy Donovan will re-introduce Jevon Carter into the rotation.
Terry produced seven points, five rebounds, three assists, one steal, and one block in 18 minutes on Saturday. Meanwhile, Carter contributed 12 points and five assists in 17 minutes.
Donovan has typically used a nine-man rotation this year. Crowley suggested that rookie Julian Phillips, who was recently recalled from Windy City, could join the rotation if Donovan uses 10 players.
Phillips had been playing well with Windy City. The 20-year-old forward produced three double-doubles and averaged 16.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.1 steals in nine contests. He also compiled a shooting slash line of .462/.475/.742.
Phillips saw four minutes of action for Chicago against Memphis on Saturday. He has appeared in 22 games overall for the Bulls this season, seeing nearly 100 total minutes while producing 18 points and 11 caroms.
