Bulls forward Noa Essengue is listed day-to-day with a head issue on the Saturday injury report. The Bulls host the Wizards at 8:00 PM ET, and the report gives an expected return date of Oct. 24.
What happened
Noa Essengue appeared on the Bulls' injury report Saturday at 12:59 p.m. ET as day-to-day. The injury is listed as a head issue. No previous status was listed, so this is his first appearance on the report. The report's comment reads: "The Bulls exercised Essengue's team option Tuesday." The report lists an expected return of Oct. 24, the day of the game. No further detail on the nature of the injury has been announced, and no timeline beyond that date has been given. Essengue is 19 and plays forward.
What it means for the Bulls
Chicago plays the Wizards on Saturday at 8:00 PM ET. The Bulls are 1-1, seventh in the standings, and come in on a one-game winning streak. Essengue has played two games this season. He averages 13.4 minutes, 2.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.5 assists. Last season he played two games, averaging 3.0 minutes and no points. The Bulls are 1-1 with him and have not yet played a game without him. If he sits, the minutes likely go to the rest of the rotation. Caleb Wilson leads the group at 32.9 minutes and 18.5 points. Norman Powell, Leonard Miller, Josh Giddey and Isaac Okoro follow. Nic Claxton is also listed as out with a hamstring issue.
What to watch
The next update is the game-day status for Saturday's game against the Wizards. The report lists an expected return of Oct. 24, but the team has not announced whether he will play. Watch the final status before the 8:00 PM ET tip. Also watch how Chicago spreads the minutes if Essengue is out, and whether Claxton's hamstring issue changes the frontcourt rotation. No timeline has been announced for Claxton.
Is Noa Essengue playing vs the Wizards?
He is day-to-day with a head issue. The injury report lists an expected return of Oct. 24, the day of the game against the Wizards at 8:00 PM ET, but a final decision has not been announced.
When will Noa Essengue be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Oct. 24. The Bulls have not announced anything beyond that date.