Chicago Bulls Guard Coby White To Debut Sunday Against Struggling Jazz
The Chicago Bulls will get a shot in the arm on Sunday as combo Guard Coby White is slated to make his season debut after dealing with a calf injury since August. White will join the returning Josh Giddey in the backcourt Sunday night against the Jazz. Giddey has sat out the last two games with an ankle issue.
What White Adds To the Mix
Chicago has sorely missed having White in the lineup. The 2019 first-rounder averaged a career-high 20.4 points per game last season and can run the point or play the wing. White has shot 37% from beyond the three-point line for his career and shot 90% from the free-throw line last season, as well. He adds a third big-time scoring threat to the lineup alongside Giddey and Center Nikola Vučević. White also averaged 3.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season.
Time For a Turnaround
With the injuries to Giddey and White, as well as backup Guard Tre Jones, the Bulls go into Sunday’s game having lost four straight. However, they will also go into the matchup fresh, after having a rare three-day break in the schedule. That has allowed Giddey to heal up, and it will certainly help Jones as he recovers from an ankle issue as well. Jones is still listed as questionable for Sunday.
Despite the losing streak, Chicago has to feel good going into the game with all three of their top scorers back in the lineup for the first time all season. The injuries had led to opportunities for backup Guards Kevin Huerter and Ayo Dosunmu to see extra minutes, and both responded well. If both can continue to play well in their minutes, it will make it easier for White to ease back into action. White is expected to have a minutes restriction for the game, though the team has not announced what that restriction will be.
Sunday Night’s Matchup
The Bulls head into Sunday night with a 6-5 record. They currently sit in fourth place in the tough Central Division of the Eastern Conference. Backup forward/center Zach Collins (wrist) and Jones are expected to miss the game.
The Jazz enter Sunday at 4-8, sitting in last place in the Western Conference’s Northwest Division. They will be without star big man Walker Kessler, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Jazz Forwards Georges Niang and Taylor Hendricks are also expected to miss the game, and Forward Kyle Anderson is listed as questionable. The game is slated for a 7 p.m. (CST) start time in Salt Lake City at the Delta Center.
