Shoulder surgery sidelines Bulls rookie Noa Essengue for rest of season
SLUG: bulls-essengue-season-ending-shoulder-surgery
CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls rookie forward Noa Essengue will undergo left-shoulder surgery and will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season, head coach Billy Donovan said Wednesday night before the team’s game against the Brooklyn Nets.
Essengue, 18, was selected 12th overall in the 2025 NBA draft. The French forward made his NBA debut on Nov. 22 against the Washington Wizards and appeared in two games, logging just over six minutes while going 0-for-3 from the floor.
In four games with the G League’s Windy City Bulls, Essengue averaged 23.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 30.8 minutes.
“The recommendation was to get it fixed now instead of waiting, because it’s something that could continue to be a problem for him,” Donovan said, adding that the decision to proceed with surgery was finalized earlier Wednesday.
Chicago’s injury list also includes forwards Kevin Huerter (left hamstring strain), Zach Collins (left scaphoid fracture) and Jalen Smith (left hamstring strain), along with guards Coby White (left calf strain), Isaac Okoro (left leg, pinched nerve) and Tre Jones (left ankle sprain).
Source: ESPN
