The Bulls announced Thursday that Smith will miss the remainder of the season after aggravating a right calf injury in Wednesday's 157-137 loss to the 76ers.
Smith has been plagued by injuries to his right calf throughout the past two months. Since initially straining the calf Jan. 29, Smith has appeared in just 12 of the Bulls' last 24 games while recovering from setbacks related to the injury or for maintenance purposes during back-to-back sets. With the Bulls sitting at 29-43 on the season, the team won't look to rush Smith back to the court over the final two-plus weeks following his latest aggravation. Smith will finish his sixth NBA season with averages of 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers, 1.2 assists, 0.8 blocks and 0.5 steals in 20.7 minutes per game over his 53 appearances. His absence should open up more minutes in the frontcourt for Nick Richards (elbow), Guerschon Yabusele, Patrick Williams and Leonard Miller.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Aggravates calf injury
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Smith won't return to Wednesday's game versus the 76ers due to a right calf injury, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports. He finished with zero points (0-1 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound and one block over six minutes.
Smith's right calf has presented persistent concerns for him over the first two months. After he first strained his right calf during a Jan. 29 game against the 76ers, Smith missed the Bulls' subsequent two games after that, then missed the Bulls' final three contests before the All-Star break when he experienced a setback. Smith strained the calf again in late February and missed five straight contests, and he appears to have suffered another setback Wednesday. As a result of the latest recurrence of the injury, Smith seems likely to miss time once again, which should pave the way for Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele to handle more minutes in the frontcourt.
Smith (calf) is not in the starting lineup for Monday's game against the Rockets.
Smith will play despite previously being listed as questionable due to right calf injury management, but head coach Billy Donovan said that the big man will be limited to 22-to-24 minutes. Because of Smith's minute restriction, the Bulls will keep Nick Richards in the starting lineup at center. In 32 games as a reserve this season, Smith is averaging 9.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 18.1 minutes per contest.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Will play Monday
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Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said that Smith (calf) is available for Monday's game against the Rockets and will be limited to 22-to-24 minutes, Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com reports.
Smith will shed his questionable tag and return from a one-game absence due to right calf injury management. However, the big man will be limited, which should allow Nick Richards to pick up a few extra minutes. Over his last four appearances, Smith has averaged 12.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 27.0 minutes per contest.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Questionable for Monday
Rotowire
Smith (calf) is questionable for Monday's game against the Rockets.
With Guerschon Yabusele (ankle) doubtful, the Bulls need Smith on the floor. However, if Smith and Yabusele are both ruled out, Nick Richards will presumably remain in the starting lineup. Richards got the start in Thursday's loss to Cleveland, finishing with 16 points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Listed as questionable
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Smith (calf) is questionable for Thursday's game against Cleveland.
Smith is managing a nagging right calf strain, putting his status in jeopardy for the second leg of this back-to-back set. Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele would be in position to share the center minutes if Smith is unable to play Thursday.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Ruled out for Thursday
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Smith (calf) is out for Thursday's game versus the Cavaliers, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Smith will hit the sidelines for the second leg of this back-to-back set, but he should be able to get back out there for Monday's matchup with the Rockets. Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele will likely pick up the slack in Smith's absence.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Empty performance Monday
Rotowire
Smith provided 13 points (5-10 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT) and five rebounds in 27 minutes during Monday's 132-107 victory over the Grizzlies.
Smith delivered an underwhelming performance, continuing his recent struggles. Outside of a double-double during a win over Golden State, Smith has offered very little in terms of meaningful fantasy production. In four games since returning from injury, he has averaged just 10.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 three-pointers, leaving him well outside the top-250 players during that time. With potentially just one more game this week, those in their fantasy playoffs should be fine with moving on.
Smith (calf) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Monday's game against the Grizzlies.
Smith skipped Friday's loss to the Clippers, with that game falling as the second in a back-to-back set, but he'll be back in action with his usual workload Monday evening. With Smith back in the mix, Nick Richards will likely return to the second unit, where his minutes will dip.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Out Friday
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Smith (calf) won't play Friday versus the Clippers, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Smith will rest on the second night of a back-to-back set, but he will likely return for Monday's matchup with Memphis. Guerschon Yabusele and Nick Richards will soak up the center minutes with Smith unavailable.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Doubtful for Friday
Rotowire
Smith (calf) is doubtful to play Friday versus the Clippers.
It looks like Smith will receive a rest day during the second leg of this back-to-back set, and with Guerschon Yabusele (foot) questionable, it could be Nick Richards starting at center Friday evening. Check back for official word on Smith's availability closer to tipoff.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Good to go Thursday
Rotowire
Smith (calf) has been cleared to play Thursday against the Lakers, K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports.
Smith was tagged as questionable due to a calf issue, but he'll be ready to run the floor Thursday. However, coach Billy Donovan said in his pre-game presser that Smith would likely be held out for the second half of Chicago's back-to-back Friday against the Clippers, per Johnson.
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Bulls' Jalen Smith: Downgraded to questionable
Rotowire
Smith (calf) is questionable for Thursday's game against the Lakers.
Smith was previously listed as doubtful, so the downgrade is a concern for fantasy managers. If Smith is unable to give it a go, Nick Richards will likely have a higher floor in fantasy hoops.
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