The Chicago Bulls opened February at 24–25 and holding a solid position in the Eastern Conference play-in race. Eleven games later, the club remains stuck on 24 victories after an 0-11 month—the worst single month in franchise history—and now sits five games behind the final play-in spot.
The current 11-game skid is the third-longest losing streak the Bulls have ever recorded. Thursday’s defeat came against Portland, a result Chicago can live with: the Bulls will acquire the Trail Blazers’ 2026 first-round pick if it falls outside the lottery, giving the team a vested interest in Portland reaching the postseason.
Despite a quiet trade deadline that suggested Chicago might pivot toward draft positioning, head coach Billy Donovan said management has not instructed him to lose games. “Nothing has changed,” Donovan told reporters after the deadline, noting that ownership and the front office expect the coaching staff to field the best available lineup even while integrating seven new players.
Injury Updates
Patrick Williams underwent imaging on his injured right quadriceps and will be sidelined for at least one week. Donovan indicated the forward could need more time, but the staff hopes to begin ramp-up work once the inflammation subsides.
Jalen Smith has missed the last two contests with a right calf strain and is on a similar timeline. The center is expected to start reconditioning in roughly a week. With Zach Collins already out for the season, Chicago has started Guerschon Yabusele at center while Nick Richards absorbs significant reserve minutes.
Anfernee Simons, who re-aggravated a left wrist fracture initially suffered during Boston’s training camp, is not expected to require surgery. Donovan expressed optimism that the impending free-agent guard could return in 10–14 days, adding that the injury—a left ulnar styloid fracture—will be managed based on pain tolerance.
Source: Hoops Rumors
