Josh Giddey details his unprecedented first soft-tissue injury. White's calf issue shows improvement, offering hope amidst the Chicago Bulls' depth challenges.
Josh Giddey and Coby White appeared at the Bulls' training facility on Friday and provided updates on their injuries before Chicago's game against the Orlando Magic at the United Center.
According to CHSN's K.C. Johnson, Giddey revealed that the hamstring strain suffered during Monday's Minnesota game was the first soft tissue injury of his career. Beyond sprinting, he can perform simple drills like shooting and lifting as he progresses through rehabilitation.
Giddey said he felt tightness throughout the Timberwolves game before ultimately leaving. Interestingly, he didn't appear to be limping when leaving the locker room after the game. On Wednesday before the Pelicans game, Billy Donovan said Giddey felt better the next day, before the medical team diagnosed him with a strain that required a two-week re-evaluation.
White, who limped off the court alongside Giddey in the same game, underwent an MRI that showed his right calf issue was "better than it did" in November, when the same injury sidelined him for the first 17 games of the season. White will be re-evaluated in one week.
NBA players frequently deal with soft tissue injuries like calf/hamstring strains, sprains and tendinitis, seen recently with big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf strain), Victor Wembanyama (left knee hyperextension) and Ja Morant (left ankle sprain) often requiring extended rest, rehab, and cautious returns due to high recurrence.
The Bulls face the Magic on Friday following their solid 134-118 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on New Year's Eve. Chicago will continue relying heavily on their depth during this stretch, made more challenging by the unavailability of all three two-way players — Lachlan Olbrich (left ankle sprain), Emanuel Miller (right hamstring strain) and Trentyn Flowers (right knee strain) — who remain out with different injuries.
Despite the absences, the Bulls demonstrated their "strength in numbers" identity on Wednesday, with eight players scoring in double figures and Tre Jones posting a historic 20-point, 12-assist performance on perfect 7-of-7 shooting.