Chicago Bulls Forward Lands on Injury Report Ahead of Celtics Rematch

The Bulls' frontcourt is already thin, and heading into a Friday night rematch against the Boston Celtics, Tiago Splitter could be left scrambling for healthy options at center.

Forward Jalen Smith landed on Chicago's injury report on Thursday with what is being called a left finger sprain. He is listed as questionable for the Bulls' game in Boston, which is set to tip off at 6:30 p.m. CT on Friday.

Smith logged a double-double during Wednesday's 133-127 home loss to the New York Knicks. The veteran forward finished with 17 points on 7-of-12 shooting (3-of-7 from deep), 11 rebounds, five assists and three blocks in nearly 30 minutes of play.

The 26-year-old appeared to injure his left hand during the game and was visibly uncomfortable, but still made several big plays down the stretch for the Bulls. He had two consecutive fourth-quarter blocks and hit a massive triple with 46 seconds remaining that cut New York's lead to just three points.

Chicago has relied on the 6-foot-9 Smith — usually a true power forward — to start at center while Nic Claxton recovers from a preseason hamstring injury. Smith has started all five regular season games for the Bulls and is averaging 13.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game while shooting 49.0% overall and 33.3% from deep. He is Chicago's leading rebounder and trails only Norman Powell and Caleb Wilson in shot attempts.

Behind Claxton and Smith, the Bulls' center depth is shallow. Zach Collins missed the preseason with a quad injury and has played only 26 minutes over three games this season. Undrafted rookie Tobe Awaka seemed to be a favorite of Splitter's during the preseason due to his tenacity on the offensive glass, but is questionable for Friday's game after spraining his left ankle during practice on Tuesday.

Collins would naturally be next in line to start if Smith and Awaka cannot play on Friday, but the coaching staff has limited his minutes while his quad heals. Splitter has also frequently opted to play a small-ball lineup featuring a combination of Wilson, Leonard Miller and Noa Essengue when he wants to substitute on-court size for speed.

The Bulls previously lost to the Celtics on Monday, 134-99. Smith struggled, shooting 2-of-8 while totaling seven points, six rebounds and an assist in 20 minutes of action. Boston made 21 of its 44 three-pointers and pulled away from Chicago in the second half.